Graduates put their best face forward

Cashing in: The LCD screen on a taxi in Xian city displaying an advertisement on cosmetic surgery for high school students. The screen reads, ‘First-year high school students’, followed by a phone number.

ACADEMIC certificates no longer guarantee graduates a good head-start in the workforce. Most Chinese youngsters believe that their future is very much determined by their appearance.

“Undergo cosmetic surgery before seeking a job”, “Earn a living with your face” and “Face value is justice” have become catchphrases among school-leavers in recent years.