Marry a Chinese woman for song and dance
(AFP)
Updated: 2006-03-17 09:59

In a case of life imitating reality television, a 20-year-old woman in China has launched a national song-and-dance competition for top prize -- her hand in marriage.

Chinese models show off the latest wedding gowns during a fashion fair in September 2005. In a case of life imitating reality television, a 20-year-old woman in China has launched a national song-and-dance competition for top prize -- her hand in marriage. [AFP]

Not only will the twinkle-toed bachelor get to marry the woman, he will also receive 100,000 yuan (12,300 dollars), a diamond ring and a chance to sign a contract with a record company, the Beijing Daily Messenger said Thursday.

Tryouts begin next month in five Chinese cities with the winner to be selected by professional dancers and an audience at a final competition in the southwestern city of Chengdu, the report said.

What about love for the woman identified only as "Jiao Jiao", or beautiful, and her prospective husband?

That can be slowly nurtured, Jiao Jiao's agent was quoted as saying.

Jiao Jiao's parents have financed the scheme, contributing 300,000 yuan, in the hopes that she will become famous.

This week, the report said, a Shanghai cartoon company expressed interest in hiring Jiao Jiao to sing the theme song in one of its animated films.