China hosts hundreds of beauty pageants every year and takes part in several more across the globe.
But one that's a little different is the Miss Chinese International pageant, which is organised by Hong Kong television network TVB.
Every year cities around the world, including Sydney and Melbourne, hold their own Miss Chinese pageants, where the winners eventually gather in Hong Kong to decide who's the fairest of them all.
Contestants are put through the usual pageant paces: an evening gown segment, a swimsuit question-and-answer session, and a talent show where they sing, dance, or do a spot of painting.
Seriously. Watch the video.
Granted, there's plenty of cheese and corn to go round. As long as pageants have been held they've been dismissed as silly, degrading, and focussed on looks over intellect.
But many of this year's Miss Sydney Chinese contestants are first-timers whose reasons for joining vary.
"It's been a lifelong goal," said finalist Monika Lee.
"When I was a kid I used to watch TVB when I lived in Hong Kong and I pretended to be part of the pageants.
"I'm all about improving myself, and being here today enables me to show everyone how I transformed."
The show itself is almost completely in Mandarin and Cantonese, which proved challenging for some contestants.
Certain segments require them to recite Chinese poetry and perform traditional dances.
It's an experience that's helped some of them reconnect with their heritage.
"I was born overseas and I came here when I was 11. I don't have much knowledge for the Chinese culture anymore," said finalist Phyllis Dai.
"By being in this competition it helps me to show what I have. I'm proud of my Chinese background, and to show the public that Chinese women can do anything."
But as the old saying goes, there can be only one winner.
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