Women in China

http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/life/chinese-models-show-some-leg-price-450297

http://www.cnngo.com/shanghai/life/nude-model-and-internet-celebrity-su-zizi-bares-all-807421

I enjoyed Xiaoxin's lecture on the image of the modern Chinese women. Because of Western influence, today's Chinese society has definitely become more liberal, especially in the portrayal of women. In the two links above, it shows that the modelling industry in China is moving towards one that shows more skin, something which was not accepted and common decades ago. The first link features a different kind of modelling - leg modelling. The demands of leg modelling - toned calves, defined and scar-less legs - portrays the expectations of Chinese women today, which concurs with that of the Western ideals. The second link features Su Zizi, a girl who became an Internet celebrity because of her nude modelling picture. She was heavily criticized for having a double identity - a college undergraduate student in a reputable school and a nude model. The debate revolving her nude pictures reflects a conflict between liberal and conservative views in modern China. While the first link shows that the Chinese portrayal of a woman is more modern, Sun Zizi's controversy shows that the Chinese society is not entirely open in its views, and that there is still a threshold to what the society can accept.