A nationwide election organized by a prominent women's magazine in China will uncover the "Top Ten Men of Our Time".

The results of the contest will be announced in April by Chinese Women Weekly, who are working in conjunction with eight other media organizations.

The candidates must advocate gender equality, show respect for women and share family responsibilities, according to the main criteria set out by the election committee.

Local media have reviewed the qualities of a few men who are thought to have shown great care and support for women, including Chen Zhixiong, husband of Dr. Margaret Chan, the new chief of the World Health Organization.

Staff of the election organizers also went out on the streets to collect people's opinions and suggestions about the most important criteria the men need to possess.

"This election is different from ordinary 'beauty contests', said one of the organizers Shou Yuanjun, head of a program on China Central Television.

"Beauty contests focus on physical attributes, but this election highlights the sense of care and respect for women," he told a press conference.

At the press briefing, a reporter with the Farmers' Daily suggested the candidate list should include farmers, reasoning that most Chinese rural people hold a traditional view that men are superior than women.

The suggestion was welcomed by Lu Xiaofei, director of the election committee and also the chief editor of the Chinese Women Weekly.

"The public actively nominated candidates soon after the contest kicked off on December 1," said Lu.

Thirty candidates will be selected around International Working Women's Day, which falls on March 8, and the top 10 will be finalized by representatives of the nine media organizations in April.