China's economy may have just found some relief at the beach.
Going to the beach simply to get a tan is not a prerequisite for fun in the sun in every country.
In China, some people are using extreme measures to avoid having even their face exposed to the sun. Introducing the new beachwear item called the Facekini.
The masks completely cover the swimmers' heads, revealing only their eyes, noses, and mouths.
The style of the mask resembles head attire worn by wrestlers from the WWE, and super heroes of the West.
According to a report from The New York Times, government officials have become concerned that the masks could be used to rob banks.
"These have been extremely popular," Zaizaibao (仔仔寶), an online seller from Henan on shopping Internet site taobao.com, said.
Another online store sold 542 masks, which come in different colors and patterns, in just 30 days. "We are already out of the pink ones.... All of them sell well. Orange is the most effective in protecting people from sea creatures."
The masks are said to be an expression of the Chinese' understanding of beauty when it comes to their skin.
"I myself don't mind getting tanned, but I can see why pale skin is attractive," Alina Zhao, a college student in the U.S. who grew up in Zhejiang, China, said.
"It definitely has to do with the history of China, which is largely an agricultural society," she added. "Getting tanned means you work outside in the fields a lot, so skin color is like an indicator of your social status. The fairer you are, the wealthier or more respected you seem."
Despite their attempts trying to appear wealthier, China's economy is in fact in trouble. According to data from China, the world's second biggest economy has experienced its slowest growth for three years.
Miranda Carr, China expert and head of research at NSBO says that the Chinese economy is falling sharply because of two main factors. The European slowdown is affecting the exports market, and secondly property investment in China is slowing down.
Carr claims that in order to keep things stable in China, the Chinese will have to invest in infrastructure such as airports, railways, and housing.
The popularity of the Facekini, whether short term or long term, could possibly give consumers who sell the product in their stores more buying power to invest into the economy as sales for the facial sun blocker increase.
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