China's first batch of professional lingerie models recently debuted in Wuhan, Hubei Province.

The five beauties, aged between 18 and 20, wowed spectators at a lingerie show with stunning body measurements.

But a stunning body wasn't the only standard, according to Wang Guihua, vice-general manager of the New Silk Road Company, the company the lingerie models represent. They were chosen from over thousands of candidates based on other standards for a great body, including good skin, no scars and non-intimidation.

At their new job, the lucky five are expected to earn twice as much as a normal model earns, a minimum estimate of 160,000 yuan (US$20,000) annually.

Despite the high income, many people question society's acceptance of lingerie models in an environment as conservative as China's. However, all five models are quite open, saying their parents are proud of them.

(CRI November 6, 2006)