Footbinding in China: Fighting a Thousand Year Tradition Through Public Relations The footbinding practice prevailed in China for 1000 years; it did not only deform, mutilate and manipulate women physically, but also introduce a young girl to the patriarchal power that would control her entire life. The presence of Western missionaries and colonialists, mixed with the Chinese elites and reformists led to the anti-footbinding movements. In the anti-footbinding movements, public relations played an essential role to educate bound feet women, and influence public opinions, which eventually helped to terminate this practice. Footbinding’s history and cultural background In the process of taking a deep look at the anti-footbinding