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China crowns first ever Miss Plastic SurgerySat Dec 18, 1:56 PM ET
BEIJING (AFP) - China crowned its first ever Miss Plastic Surgery at a pageant that attracted widespread attention at home and abroad with its apparent endorsement of the notion that beauty is only skin deep.
Feng Xian, 22, who is training to be a plastic surgeon herself, was considered the most beautiful "Renzao Meinu," or "Artificial Beauty," among 19 finalists aged 17 to 62 vying in Beijing for the title celebrating beauty at any cost.
She said she was proud of her glamorous, albeit artificial looks, achieved through botox injections and surgery to widen her eyes and remove fat from her cheeks and waist.
"Regardless of how I used to look, regardless of what measures I have taken, I'm now beautiful and healthy and full of confidence -- that's the most important thing," she said.
Feng said she believed the experience of going under the knife would make her a better cosmetic surgery practitioner.
"I want to feel the operation myself so that I will have confidence when I become a plastic surgeon," she said. "This business only allows success, not failure."
The physical pain she had to endure to make her dreams come true was worthwhile, she said.
"It was definitely worth it. First, I've become much prettier, second, it is for my future career, for my whole life."
Most winners of beauty contests tend to thank their families and friends for support, but Feng said the big "thank you" should go to Jilin province Plastic Surgery Hospital in northeast China, which transformed her looks.
Feng will receive gifts worth 50,000 yuan (about 6,000 dollars) such as club membership and jewellery, plus a free fact-finding trip to cosmetic surgery salons in Japan.
Meanwhile, the second prize went to 22-year-old Zhang Shuang while third was awarded to Cheng Lili, also 22, who also won the "Best Figure" prize.
Zhang had operations to widen her eyes, enlarge her nose and breasts and alter the shape of her face, while Shanghai-native Cheng had her eyes widened, the shape of her nose and cheeks refined and her bust enlarged.
The two most high-profile contestants -- 62-year-old Liu Yulan and transsexual Liu Xiaojing -- did not make it to the finals, but both received awards for "giving the best impression to the media."
Liu Yulan, who entered the contest as "the top man-made sunset rose of Hebei province," told an applauding audience during the show that beauty was ageless.
"The pursuit of beauty is eternal. Cosmetic surgery shouldn't just be something that belongs to the young," said Liu, who was showing off her wrinkle-free face and large, better defined eyes.
Transsexual Liu Xiaojing, sporting a slinky low-cut turquoise dress, revealed only a few days ahead of the pageant that she was a man three years ago.
"Beauty is everyone's dream, it's not only the pursuit of women, but men's too," said the 22-year-old, who had surgery on her breasts, nose, eyebrows and chin and liposuction on her waist.
Like many women in China who are increasingly influenced by Western standards of beauty, contestants have typically undergone surgery for bigger busts, larger eyes, more defined noses and slimmer bodies.
Plastic surgery has taken off in China in recent years as people become wealthier and more conscious of their appearance.
Sponsors of the contestants -- from private beauty clinics to cosmetic surgery hospitals -- are vying for more business in a booming industry.
China, which used to frown upon beauty and fashion as frivolous and decadent, is now the world's eighth-largest and Asia's second-biggest cosmetics market.
According to state media, there are 11.2 million practitioners in 1.5 million beauty salons in China, raking in 168 billion yuan (20.3 billion dollars) last year, a 20 percent year-on-year increase.
Contestants parade on stage during the final of China's first ever beauty pageant for women who have had plastic surgery, in Beijing Saturday Dec. 18, 2004. The event was organized after an 18-year-old woman was disqualified from another Chinese beauty pageant earlier this year on the grounds that she had had cosmetic surgery. Competitors had to submit proof that they had undergone surgery. Sponsors included Chinese makers of cosmetic surgery products. The contest included a talent show and evening gown and swimsuit competitions.
Winner of China's Miss Artificial Beauty pageant, Feng Qian, models a swimsuit at the pageant in Beijing, December 18, 2004. China chose its first Miss Artificial Beauty on Saturday, giving the crown to a 22-year-old from the northeastern city fo Jilin who couldn't have done it without the help of her plastic surgeon.
China's Miss Artificial Beauty Feng Qian (C), first runner-up Cheng Lili (R) and third place winner Zhang Shuang hold their trophies at the country's first beauty pageant for the surgically enhanced in Beijing, December 18, 2004. Contestants ranging from 17 to 62 years old paraded their surgical nips and tucks on Saturday.
Liu Yu Lan , 62, from Shijiazhuang, parades on stage during the final of China's first ever beauty pageant for women who have had plastic surgery, in Beijing Saturday Dec. 18, 2004.
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Transsexual Liu Xioajing (#13) and fellow contestants, practice their 'walk' during final rehearsals for China's first Miss Plastic Surgery beauty pageant in Beijing. While going under the knife is a big no-no for beauty contestants around the world, nineteen finalists will compete 18 December here for the country's most beautiful 'Renzao Meinu', or artificial beauty
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sur la derniere photo.. c'est quoi ca qui depase de la robe?? un teton?
:s186: non mais.. il fallait demander des implants plus petits alors!
Ah.. robe turquoise... ca doit etre le transvesti dont on parle dans l'article..