Thursday, Chinese officials put the squash on a Christmas Eve naked run in Zhengzhou, Henan province organized by a domestic wine maker. The planned event was aimed at bringing attention to the excessive packaging in the alcohol production industry in China. The absence of clothing on the Chinese runners would supposedly be a statement to beverage companies that all the wrapping and paper simply isn’t necessary. Jixiang Ruyi Alcohol and Tobacco Company offered 10,000 RMB ($1,280) to nearly 300 people to participate in the naked mile. For those who don’t know, in Henan province, this amount is equivalent to roughly 2-3 months of salary. CCTV reported that as of Thursday, over 1,700 people had applied to run. The recruitment called for men and women under 30 with “healthy bodies” and “regular features.” Regular features like two arms, two legs, two breasts? Apparently, Jixiang Ruyi’s standards for beauty are much higher than most. CCTV quoted a Jixiang Ruyi rep as saying, “We have already invited experts from the beauty industry to conduct physical checks on the applicants. Their mental condition must also be sound. According to the tests, there are only 30 or so that qualify.” What the hell kind of tests are these that only 30 of 1,700 applicants are worthy to run naked down the streets of some no-name city? Sorry, that was a bit harsh. I’m just angry because I didn’t make the cut. But what goes around comes around. Jixiang Ruyi’s application for a city permit (like that ever had a chance) was rejected. Similar to what the Ann Arbor Police say every year before University of Michigan’s “Naked Mile”, Zhengzhou police said, “Public commercial events must meet moral standards.” Sadly, the grave national crisis that is excessive wine packaging will not receive the attention and awareness that Chinese streakers feel it deserves.

•China Daily: Police Scraps Wine Maker’s Mass Nude Run

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