I was going to mention this but i didn't think it was worth getting into but that is why i was careful to say "features more commonly seen in Caucasians".  They (Chinese) have this concept of ideal beauty which originates far before western contact, which from an outsiders perspective might look like, "wanting to look white", but may not actually be.  The problem is that in modern times the waters have become muddied by much wider exposure to western media.

I take your point about easily identifying Chinese celebrities on posters but with respect you are walking through Chinatown and have the benefit of context.  I didn't say Chinese stars are unidentifable as Chinese just that it's not always easy to tell. I guess my point is that the images and ideas i have in my mind that represent the admittedly rather nebulous idea of the 'average Chinese' gained through living in China are very hard to reconcile with the images portrayed in magazines and by stars in that country. Viewed that way though, perhaps it isn't any different from any other country.

So are they trying to look white? Maybe not, but it's certainly understandable that it could look that way from one perspective and the only way to truly know which it is would be to ask.  Anyway i don't think admiring features in another race or nationality is a bad thing.  I for one would like a little less Irish and a little more Dutch in me.........tallest people on earth.

9Chiba.  You seem angry dude, and i'm really not sure what about.  I don't know if someone said something in this thread that offended you.  If i did it wasn't my intention.

The point that Stof made, which incidentally was anecdotal, is that there are people in Korea that seem to want to look more like white people.  I said that my experience in China was similar.  Neither of us claimed to have studies to back us up or that we were representing the majority of people in either country, rather it was just something we observed.  This is the crux of my point.

I'm having a hard time understanding exactly what your point is here other than just disagreeing with me for the sake of it.  You are  of course entitled to do so but i will stand by my claim that there are people in China that seem to want to look more like white people and this comes from five years of teaching, working and talking with mostly females  colleagues and students in central China. And of course we talked about looks, it's something that people are interested in talking about and is something that varies with culture.

Now we can argue ad nauseum about what features are or are not typically associated with certain races or cultures but pedantry aside my point would still be basically the same.  Many Chinese girls aspire to attain features that are not common in people within their own country.  And what do you know, that's not that different from attitudes in the west with people aspiring to unrealistic body image standards that are promoted or fostered by the media. 

In the end i was presenting nothing other than my impression based on my own experiences and for that i need no research. You call me out on my 'bullshit' yet your post is full of assumptions and speculation and a google search for "obesity in America", does not count as research.  You talk about sects in a country with no official religion, you assume i didn't live in China because i can't remember stars names and your idea of a retort is, you're wrong because i say so.

So to answer your question, "Who says they want to look like white people?", i do (with qualifications) and if you don't like my answer then sorry. 

.......you guys need to calm down.......how did this turn into a flame war anyway.

@hsrob: From what I know the Chinese prefer pale skin in women since 3000 years ago, so it's NOT fair to say they aspire to "acquire Caucasian features", its just their own sense of beauty.
And not mean to be rude but I have seen plenty pictures of Chinese celebrities as I walk pass Chinatown almost everyday, I can tell easily they are all Asians.

@9Chiba: take it easy dude, this is not going to end well for you if you keep calling other people dumbass.

I was going to mention this but i didn't think it was worth getting into but that is why i was careful to say "features more commonly seen in Caucasians".  They (Chinese) have this concept of ideal beauty which originates far before western contact, which from an outsiders perspective might look like, "wanting to look white", but may not actually be.  The problem is that in modern times the waters have become muddied by much wider exposure to western media.

I take your point about easily identifying Chinese celebrities on posters but with respect you are walking through Chinatown and have the benefit of context.  I didn't say Chinese stars are unidentifable as Chinese just that it's not always easy to tell. I guess my point is that the images and ideas i have in my mind that represent the admittedly rather nebulous idea of the 'average Chinese' gained through living in China are very hard to reconcile with the images portrayed in magazines and by stars in that country. Viewed that way though, perhaps it isn't any different from any other country.

So are they trying to look white? Maybe not, but it's certainly understandable that it could look that way from one perspective and the only way to truly know which it is would be to ask.  Anyway i don't think admiring features in another race or nationality is a bad thing.  I for one would like a little less Irish and a little more Dutch in me.........tallest people on earth.