On Tuesday afternoon, twenty Chinese women competed in Xiamen to receive a free plastic surgery operation.

A competitor in China's first artificial beauty pageant receives final touches before the opening presentation in Beijing December 12, 2004. The finals for Miss Artificial Beauty are due to be held Saturday December 18, 2004, when contestants ranging from 17 to 62 years-old will parade their surgical nips and tucks-- enhancements once banned in beauty contests. Cosmetic surgery has become popular in China. [Reuters via chinadaily.com.cn]

The twenty candidates were selected from 106 applicants. After another selection phase, ten candidates move on to the final round of competition yesterday.

Today, these ten women will undergo a physical and only one winner will be crowned the first artificial beauty of southeast China and receive the surgery.

The operations will last for nearly five months, with the hospital contributing nearly 300,000 yuan.

All the candidates said that they were eager to become more beautiful and that this was a good opportunity.

Some said that they feel ashamed of their plain looks. Others hope to be movie stars. One contestant said that she would be able to earn more money and help pay her sister's college tuition if she wins the operation.

Professor He Yongkui, the doctor who operated on China's first artificial beauty Hao Lulu, will be responsible for the coming operation.

Professor He said that the hospital would conduct a comprehensive examination on the final candidate and draw up a detailed plan for the surgery.

Editor: Catherine