The 2003 Miss World Pageant has left China with beautiful memories, after contestants from all over the world gathered in south China's coastal city of Sanya for the contest in December. 

Now, the Miss International Beauty Pageant is coming to Beijing.

Miss International is one of the leading beauty pageants in the world.

CITIC Cultural & Sports Industry Co Ltd recently announced that it has purchased the rights to hold the final of the 2004 Miss International Beauty Pageant in October.

The organizing committee for the event includes Li Bolun, chairman of the board of directors of CITIC Cultural & Sports Industry Co Ltd, China International Culture Exchange Centre President Long Yuxiang and Japan International Cultural Association Chairwoman Yuri Takano.

Chen Kaige, a well-known Chinese movie director, will serve as the artistic director for the grand final.

"As Beijing is becoming a real metropolis in the world, 'fashion' has been a word heard in every corner of the city," he said.

"The beauty pageant will be a fresh and thrilling event for both residents and related industries," said Zhang Jingxuan, vice manager general of CITIC Cultural & Sports Industry Co Ltd.

"We promise to make the 2004 event the biggest one in the history of Miss International.

"And we also hope the annual event could move from Japan to China as its home forever."

The philosophy of Miss International is to increase women's contributions to international society, expand their network of friendship and deepen mutual exchanges.

While the nationalities, languages, religions and customs may be different, the self-awareness of each contestant as a member of the international society is the focus of the event.

Miss International is chosen every year after being judged on such areas as personality, intelligence, beauty and for taking an active role in international society.

(China Daily February 19, 2004)