There is a beauty epidemic and it is infecting the nation.
On Friday night in the Great Hall of the People, the Miss World
contestants from around the world attended a grand evening banquet
to raise fund for children.
They brought some of their belongings to auction.
The 53-year-old Miss World activity has so far raised 150
million pounds for charity purposes.
The banquet marks an end to their four-day stay in Beijing.
They've been to the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Summer
Palace. They said the journey has been a wonderful experience.
Miss Puerto Rico said, " Everywhere we go has a magic ... "
Miss Croatia said, "People are really nice and polite, modern
..."
By hosting the 2003 Miss World Contest, China, the world's most
populous nation has officially been put on the beauty pageant
map.
The event represents a major break in traditional values which
have long kept the Chinese, especially women, from publicly
displaying beauty.
The final decision will be reached on December 6 in the southern
tourist town of Sanya, Hainan province.
(CCTV.com November 22, 2003)