A South Korean plastic-surgery clinic has been doing booming business since it began performing face-lifts in Shanghai on August 14.

"So far, the three foreign experts (from South Korea) have conducted about 20 surgeries, and some 80 people have made reservations for surgeries next month," said Liu Chunlong, a spokesman for Shanghai Ren'ai Hospital, which launched the center.

The three South Korean doctors fly to the city once a month and stay here for one week to do surgeries.

While local doctors offer the same services as their South Korean counterparts, and charge much lower fees, many local residents think Korean doctors do a better job.

"I think I am quite jowly, which makes my face looks square and hampers my appearance. I decided to receive a surgery to improve it," said Jiao Rong, a 20-year-old university student.

"As many movie stars in South Korea gained their beauty through plastic surgery, I trust Korean doctors' skill and capability," she said.

Jiao underwent the surgery last week and left the hospital with a new face.

"As swelling went away, I found I really had the refined face of my dreams," said Jiao.

The two-hour surgery conducted by a South Korea doctor cost her 20,000 yuan (US$2,410), compared with the approximately 15,000 yuan a local doctor would charge for the same procedure. The surgery in South Korea, however, would cost at least 100,000 yuan.

While locals are welcoming the foreign doctors, local surgeons say they are just as good as their Korean counterparts.

"The only difference may be that foreign doctors have a more profound and advanced attitude toward beauty," said Dr Guo Zhiwei, director of the center.

"We are as good as other countries when it comes to skill, but our creativity still needs improvement," said Dr Wang Wei from the Shanghai No 9 People's Hospital.

(Eastday.com August 25, 2003)