A boy model poses for photographs in a studio. Sometimes he has to be shot from four different angles whilst wearing a single suit. Except for taking part in daily shoots, competitions and runway events, these child models are taken to various training classes or TV shows by their parents. [Photo/QQ]

Young foreign models pose during an activity promoting a children's clothing brand in a Beijing photo studio. The scene is just a fragment of the real modeling industry, where children learn to imitate adults. [Photo/QQ]

Kangkang (pen name) sits quietly and awaits his mother's comfort after he was scolded by her because he failed to perform to her standards during the shoot. Although just a child, he is always required to be a professional model on set. [Photo/QQ]

Kangkang's grandmother accompanies him to hair and make-up. He has to be made up and retouched over and over again. His grandmother asks the dresser, "Is this make-up harmful to his skin? Then please use ours." [Photo/QQ]

Young models play mobile phone games in a make-up room whilst waiting. This kind of commercial shoot takes up much of their play-time. [Photo/QQ]

Girls and boys pose and present their clothes on the catwalk of a children's clothing brand. The clothing company can gain more profits by presenting these "real-live" shows rather indulging in any other kind of advertising. [Photo/QQ]

Adults take pictures of the child models with their mobile devices. The presentation of the clothing by young models is quite fresh and playful. The young models are offered less money than the adults, some even working for free, but some of their parents do not mind. [Photo/QQ]

Young models, trainees from a children class at a Beijing institution, watch an adult contest during their break. These children have to go through strict training both on and off the stage to gain more professionalism. [Photo/QQ]

Young models, trainees of a children's "performing" class, learn how to wave to the public. The child modeling market offers great potential, into which film companies, training classes, and child model agents have already entered. [Photo/QQ]

There are different opinions about the children's participation in catwalk activities. Some model institutions do not wish for these children to become models in the future because once they become professional, they may turn bad -- drinking, smoking, idling away their time -- instead, they hope the training can enhance their spiritual outlook on life. [Photo/QQ]

Some parents are eager for their children to make a quick buck. The children bow for their parents after a whole day of training and thank their teacher. [Photo/QQ]

A little girl takes to the stage with her teacher's encouragement. Some parents send their children here just to help them find more self-confidence and develop their personality. In their eyes, this is a type of quality education. [Photo/QQ]

Girl model Yiyi (pen name), a seven-year-old, has to attend a ballet class during her time off from shooting. Nowadays some young models participate in other performance classes to perfect their own body posture and general demeanor. For some parents, who do not mind the competition within the modeling industry, it is a quite good thing for the children to promote themselves by practicing. [Photo/QQ]

Five-year-old band "Twins-kylinbaby" is now a signed artist with Hong Kong International Star Group. The strategy used by some institutions is that they will promote children after receiving large sums of money from their parents. [Photo/QQ]

The mother of five-year-old band "Twins-kylinbaby" touches up her children's make-up. Parents spend their time accompanying the children to events and classes, with some even taking this on as a full-time job. [Photo/QQ]