Chinese parents might feel proud in a way: they have beaten pop celebrities to top their children's "most admired" list, a survey has found.

The survey, conducted by the All-China Women's Federation among 5,030 children from 28 cities all over the country, asked the respondents to name three persons they admire most. "Parents" were the top choice, followed by "pop stars/artists" and "other relatives".

The survey, released here Wednesday, also found that among the family members, over 80 percent of children consider their father or mother as the one that influences them most, with 43.1 percent choosing mother and 37.6 percent father.

Fu Guoliang, editor-in-chief of the People's Education magazine, recalled a similar survey done a few years ago, where Chinese parents failed to make it into the top three positions as their children invariably chose pop stars as their most adored persons.

"The survey sent us a new message concerning parents-children relations in China," Fu said. "With children admiring their parents so much, it creates a favorable environment for family education."

(Xinhua News Agency February 28, 2008)