Take a look at these models:

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虽然还是不想承认自己是大人😂可是压力比山大是无法忽略的

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You're not alone if you think these models are from Europe, United States, South America or India.

But make no mistake about it -- they are all from China.

Pan-Asian features

These models are Uyghurs, which is a Turkic ethnic group living primarily in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China, where they are one of 55 officially recognised ethnic minorities.

Uyghurs, are now highly sought-after in China's modelling business, as they have very unique looks that set them apart from a typical Chinese.

In an interview with the National Public Radio (NPR), a 19-year-old Uyghur model, Xahriyar Abdukerimabliz, explained:

"Not to brag, but we are very good-looking. Our facial features are naturally attractive. We've got great eyebrows, big, beautiful eyes and double eyelids that weren't created by a surgeon."

And sure enough, his looks are the personification of way above average.

Seen as a local everywhere but not when she is home

These Mandarin-speaking members of the Muslim ethnic minority group have physical features that look more foreign than local.

People are often confused when Uyghur reveal they are from China.

Parwena Dulkun is one of those Uyghur models who frequently gets mistaken for a local when she's overseas.

Also speaking to NPR, she said that wherever she goes, she gets that same response:

"In France, people spoke to me in French, thinking I was French. In Italy, they spoke Italian to me. The immigration officer in Europe wouldn't stamp my Chinese passport at first because he didn't believe I was from China."

But the only country where she wouldn't get such a response is her own -- China.

Instead of being recognised as their fellow countrywoman, she gets mistaken for a foreigner, and other Chinese will try to speak to her in English instead of Mandarin.

Dulkun said that she would then reply them in Mandarin, at the same time educate them about her ethnicity.

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Rising popularity in China

According to Max Liu, CEO of the Beijing-based modeling agency Fun Models, who was quoted in the NPR report, the appeal of the foreign look in China's modelling business has been increasing since the birth of Chinese consumerism in the 1990s.

At that time, most of the famous brands were international and they all used Caucasian models. There were not many local brands to carry the typical Chinese look.

As China has developed, local brands started to emerge in the market and they prefer models to have a more local image, hence, they turned to models who have half-Asian and half-European looks to create a unique brand identity.

Uyghurs are just perfect for that. Their versatile looks allow them to easily alternate between cultures and play multiple roles. Moreover, some are proficient in Mandarin, making it easy for the relevant agencies to work with them.

This has reportedly led to a 10 percent increase in Uyghur models year to year in China.

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Top image composite image via Shereen's Instagram and Dulkun's Facebook