Since the 1990s, China's clothing industry has grown rapidly, and as a result, various modeling competitions have been frequently held across the country, grabbing the attention of the world's fashion community. The Professional Fashion Model Competition, sponsored by the China Professional Model Committee, is one of the most influential modeling competitions, featuring nationwide coverage and strict rules and procedures.

The contestants are required to meet strict qualifications: They must be at least 174cm in height, have an excellent bust-waist-hip ratio, be 22 years of age or younger, etc. In addition to testing the contestants' physical appearance, perceptivity, and expressive force, the competition also tests their professional knowledge and modeling skills in order to evaluate their professional awareness. Contestants are mainly college students who are majoring in either fashion design or modeling. Award winners are recommended by the China Professional Model Committee to different model agencies.

At the 2003 Competition, Dai Xiaoyi, a 18-year-old from Shandong Province, won first place, beating Xue Jing from Hubei Province and Sun Yuqi from Liaoning Province, who won second and third place, respectively.

Since the First China Professional Fashion Model Competition was held in 2000, many award winners have become well-paid, professional models, including Li Juan, champion of the first competition, Liu Duo, Li Dan, and Wang Shu, the winners of the first three places of the second competition.

The host cities of the contest all have well-developed fashion industries, including Deyang, Sichuan Province, host of the 2000 competition, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, host of the 2002 competition, and Shishi, Fujian Province, host of the latest one.

(China Pictorial June 10 2003)