Young Chinese place high importance on looks: poll

BEIJING - More than 75 percent of young people believe that being physically attractive can give them a competitive edge in society, according to poll results released Wednesday by the China Youth Daily.

According to the paper's poll of 17,702 people, most under the age of 33, 51.1 percent of respondents said they have considered getting a facelift at some point.

Nearly 60 percent of respondents said social values that place great importance on one's appearance have fueled young people's desire to get plastic surgery.

Obsession with one's appearance can lead to "lookism," or positive stereotypes and preferential treatment given to physically attractive people, and therefore trouble people who are not as attractive, said He Lun, a professor at Southeast University.

"The commercialization of cosmetic surgery has resulted in the blind pursuit of external beauty. But the beauty of one's soul is more important than good looks," He said.

Chinese youth who are pursuing plastic surgery have lost their cultural self-consciousness, said Zhu Hongwen, a professor of philosophy and sociology at Beijing Normal University.

"We should learn to accept and appreciate what nature has given us and get rid of our excessive obsession with physical appearance," Zhu said.