Astronauts, sports stars, entrepreneurs and TV hosts have topped the youth idol rankings in China, according to a poll sponsored by the organizing committee of the first China Youth Culture Week.

Topping the poll for "Favourite Youth Idol" Thursday were Yang Liwei, who piloted the first manned spacecraft Shenzhou-V; Yao Ming, Chinese NBA player; Ding Lei, head of NetEase Inc; Deng Yaping, the former table tennis Olympic champion and Wu Xiaoli, a Phoenix TV anchor woman in Hong Kong.

As a major part of the first China Youth Culture Week, "My Favourite Youth Idol" was organized by the Ministry of Culture, the provincial and municipal governments of Guangdong and Shenzhen, and the Hong Kong Home Affairs Department.

Organizers said the poll was conducted at key Internet websites in China including sina.com, 21cn.com and southcn.com from July 21 to 30.

Almost 12 million Internet visitors have browsed the voting websites with 78.2 per cent domestic visitors and 21.8 per cent from overseas.

Liu Kewei, director of the coming events, said: "It is a common phenomenon that the adolescents worship stars. But what kind of stars they adore and who should become youth idols is what matters. And now, the poll reflecting who the adolescents favour can help us to understand better and guide the youth on the issue."

It seems that the new generation focuses on what their idols contribute to society, as well as being worshippers of pop singers, movie stars and sports stars.

Zhang Chunsheng, acting deputy director of the organizing committee of the China Youth Culture Week, told a press conference they were also surprised with the results.

"For instance, Deng Yaping, who is not only a sports champion and has a master's degree from Nottingham University in the UK, is also now working with the marketing department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games. She is a good example for youth to follow," Zhang added.

After the votes, nearly 10,000 youths from around China are expected to gather to attend a five-day China Youth Culture Week starting tomorrow.

There will be performances, art exhibitions and a series of forums at the cultural week.

(China Daily August 6, 2004)