The cars were the main attraction at the press opening of the Beijing International Automotive show, but most automakers burnished their sheet metal with an array of accompanying human models--mostly female and mostly Chinese--in varying states of dress.

Among them: Donfeng Motors Groups' butterfly-winged dancers around its E30L electric vehicle, the ballroom gown-attired Lexus booth hostesses, and the Volvo booth's battalion of pose-ready Swedish blonds.

By far the oddest entry in this ad hoc beauty contest was a bikini-clad model who strolled around wearing a white two-piece and motorcycle crash helmet with a shaded visor.

As she wandered the hall mutely, clutching a magazine in both hands, a retinue of camera-wielding middle-aged men followed her around snapping pictures and staring. The only clue to her identity: stickers taped to both arms with the English phrase 'Stylish Auto.'

The story behind the publicity stunt: to attract publicity for the Chinese-language fashion and automotive magazine, 'Stylish Auto'.

'It's a good way to break through the clutter and inform people about our magazine,' said Sheu August, a senior fashion editor with the Guangzhou-based publication.

This year's Beijing show marks the mystery woman's third appearance following her debut at the Shanghai show last year, he said.