They're not even trying to hide the obvious sexism. Critics say this is all about show for the outside world. In the long run, discouraging qualified workers is never good news. How does anyone possibly think such treatment is the sign of an advanced society? More from Radio Free Asia:
Authorities in the southwestern Chinese city of Chongqing have recently advertised for new female recruits to their traffic department, but only women of "above average appearance" and about 165 cm in height need apply.
The advertisement, which rippled through Chinese cyberspace in recent days, drew widespread scorn from rights activists, as it came just days after dismal statistics showed the best qualified Chinese women struggle to find work.
"If anything, I think things have got worse," said Liao Tianqi, Germany-based chairwoman of the writers' group Independent Chinese PEN. "Women are treated like commodities."
Liao said the advertisement showed that Chinese women still have a long way to go before they are truly given equal treatment with men.
"If you look at the [recent] parliamentary sessions, you can see that the hostesses who fetch and carry things and who pour tea for everyone at the National People's Congress (NPC) are all very young and pretty," she said.
