Before and during Gu Kailai's fall from grace, media sources such as the BBC and CNN referred to her as the Jackie Kennedy of China, praising her charm, beauty, charisma, business acumen and pedigree. It seems somewhat peculiar to compare a shrewd business woman and lawyer, who portrays herself as a "fearless, trailblazing lawyer out to protect China's national interests", to a woman who was known as a fashion icon and a major contributor to the arts, and who utilized her grace and sophistication to brave through monumental personal tragedy. Is (was?) Gu Kailai really China's modern-day Jackie Kennedy? If so, what does that say about China's female icons? Are modern Chinese female role models shrewd and intelligent businesswomen, pillars of modern motherhood, fashion icons beloved by all or are they perhaps something else entirely?

China's top female role models

On February 27 of this year, the All-China Women's Federation named 10 women as China's female role models. These women were bestowed with the honourable title of "Role Model for the March 8th Red Banner Holder". This annual event began in 1960, was brought to a standstill during the Cultural Revolution, and was revived in 1979 to encourage women nationwide to participate in China's opening up and reform. This year, Wu Juping, a Hangzhou citizen, was awarded the highest honour after saving the life of a neighbour's two-year-old daughter, catching the toddler as she plunged to an almost certain death from the 10th floor of her building. The young heroine was hailed as "The Most Beautiful Mom" by Chinese netizens and has since received many awards. 

The second place title recipient was Tu Youyou, a traditional Chinese medical researcher who has made significant progress in her studies of anti-malarial medicine. Other women who have received this honour include: Xin Yingmei, a Jiangsu Province software company president; Chang Shoulan, a Xinjiang resident and mobile movie projectionist; Zhi Fen, a party head of a prosperous village outside of Beijing's urban centre and Hong Xiannu, a master of Cantonese opera who is in her late eighties. During the ceremony, Wang Zhaoguo, the vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, praised these women for their important contribution to China's development and social progress, and encouraged all women across China to learn how to "hold up half of the sky and make greater contributions to building a moderately prosperous society and realising the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation".

Chosen by objective or arbitrary means?

Undeniably, the kind of character that is able to save a falling child or commit one's life to making outstanding progress in anti malarial treatment is truly remarkable. But when one sees certain simple references to a party head in rural Beijing or a villager in Shandong (another lucky honourable mention), one wonders what the criteria for being a role model in China really are.

Judging from the first and second place winners of the 2012 "March 8th Red Banner holder", it seems each woman embodies the ideals of modern motherhood and progressive national development. But what is it that makes a Chinese opera master, a village party head, and a mobile movie projector an exemplar for other Chinese women to live by? Are these women purely selected by the All China Women's Committee and the Standing Committee to provide a direction for China's modern women or are they also beloved by the Chinese public at large?

Wu Juping is truly beloved by a variety of netizens both in China and abroad, while Tu Youyou has also received the Lasker Award, which is one of the most prestigious international awards bestowed for progress made in the prognosis, treatment, curing, etc. of a disease (The Lasker Foundation). However, save for these, little can be found on the other honourable mentions of the March 8th Red Banner Holder.

Deemed a role model by whom?

It is hard to say from looking at this formal ceremony what it is that truly makes a Chinese woman a role model. One of these women has made great contributions to society in the medical field, while the premiere title winner saved a child from falling to their death. One of the titleholders is known as one of the most skilled Cantonese opera singers of her time. However, many of the other titleholders seem to lack a public profile. Nan Xiuxia is listed as a "villager from Shandong Province," while not much is known about Chang Shoulan except that she is a film projectionist in Xinjiang Province.

In America's past, the mother was seen as the ultimate key to shaping the nation. It could be that China's formal female role model ceremony may be a symbol of not only recognising Chinese women's potential but also for shaping the future of China's female population. It could be one more way to work towards creating a harmonious society. As China continues to mature into a developed, modern nation, the type of woman that will "hold up the other half of the sky" will ensure a more comprehensive path of development. 

Even though the definition of a role model can be socially or culturally subjective, it seems that the formation of a role model is a combination of a well-constructed public image and the acceptance of this individual by the public at large. Not everyone may agree on the qualities that are essential in a role model, or how those qualities might be decided. However, a role model seems to linger on in the minds of millions not just for their grace or charm, but also for their contribution to society as a whole. It will be interesting to see if purposely choosing and shaping the ideal of the female role model will truly make a difference in Chinese society, or if it is just another way of the Standing Committee to flex their socio-political control and muscle.
 

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Keywords: female role models China role of modern woman China Chinese culture for women Gu Kailai female icon