Teachers are the most respected group of people in China, followed by scientists, doctors, soldiers, policemen, public servants, engineers, lawyers, entrepreneurs, farmers, athletes, artists, correspondents and workers, a national survey has found.

According to the outcome of a survey commissioned by the China Association of Sciences and Technology, 58 percent of the 8,474 people surveyed across the country believe teachers are the most prestigious people in China.

But 67 percent of the surveyed at the age group 60-69 described teachers as the most prestigious one, while only half of the young people aged 18 to 29 think so, according to the survey conducted in 2003.

Nearly half of those surveyed hope their kids would take up teaching as a profession, and more women than men are willing to see their kids become teachers.

Of those surveyed, 46.5 percent would like to see their children become teachers -- 49.8 percent of female respondents and 43.5 percent of male respondents.

Only 30 percent of those with college education would like to see their children choose teaching as a profession, while teaching is the first option of most workers and drivers for their children.

As the first choice, many public servants hope their children would become scientists in the future, or doctors or teachers.

Two decades after China created a Teachers' Day, which falls on September 10, teaching, once considered undervalued and underprivileged, has come to be regarded as one of the best professions in China, as teachers are well-paid and have two-month paid holidays each year.

Primary and middle school teachers' income has risen nearly 11-fold from 1984 to 2004, while that of college teachers has increased 17-fold during the period, Beijing Youth Daily reported Thursday, adding teachers in China now earn more than the average of white collar workers.

China has followed a basic policy of "invigorating the Chinese nation through science and education" for the past two decades, and its rapidly growing manufacturing and service sectors have created a huge demand for skilled workers and professionals.