One study conducted by Harvard Medical School caused quite a stir among millions of Chinese online. For centuries, having fair complexion has been a prized characteristic in the Middle Kingdom. The concept is so revered that pale skin easily made its way to the "Ten Commandments of Classical Beauty," according to an article by Asia Society. But with Harvard's findings, the age-old belief is confronted with the possibility that having dark skin is key to "agelessness."

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Spearhedead by Dr. Alexandra Kimball, a group of researchers studied the genetic makeup of 350 women of different ages and ethnicity, with a focus on Caucasian and African-American women. Results show that women of African descent are twice as likely as Caucasian women to have skin that ages 10 years slower, reported Harper's Bazaar. The youthful combination found in dark somplexion is further described as a "difference in expression" of skin formation and antioxidant reproduction, which are present inn every skin color. 

The study became a trending topic on Weibo, with 12 million views and 20,000 comments, That's Mag revealed. One Chinese user with skin darker than the usual went as far as declaring, "I am black and I am proud." In an apparent block of the former sentiment, a user who goes by the name Only Becca Muyou Re was quoted by BBC saying, "They're talking about black people, not dark skinned [sic] Asians."

Stereotypical tirades and debates on the traditional regard for paleness as indicator of beauty abound the online forum. User Jasmine Jing posted a statement that seems fitting to end the dispute, "People who are born white are white, born black are black, born with beautiful features are beautiful. People born with beautiful features are not necessarily white." The discussion also branched out to posting of a gallery where Western and Chinese celebrities with dark skin are compared.

In an interview with Asia Society, anthropology professor Susan Brownell expressed doubts that China will have a change of heart about its customary mind-set about beauty. She cited strong distaste for manual labor, which equates to working outside, as a factor that could hinder the turnabout. With a population that is still leaving the farming life behind, a taste for tanned skin is still unlikely, Brownell concluded.