Miss World to be crowned in S Africa

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- More than 100 international beauties are taking part in the Miss World pageant Saturday, hosted by South Africa for an expected one billion-strong TV audience.

South African and Jamaican designers have created racks of dresses for the women, aged 17 to 25, who have spent a grueling month in galas and rehearsals, according to the South African Press Association.

Contestants from the eight countries in the FIFA Confederations Cup, which takes place in South Africa in coming June as a warm-up for the 2010 World Cup, also joined in the event.

The event, which has a special focus on song, dance and music, includes a high-tech twist with an online competition where viewers can vote for their favorite beauty.

The winner of the on-line vote will go directly to the semi-final round, where Miss Barbados, Miss Mexico, Miss Russia and Miss Iceland have already secured spots by winning special competitions in the run-up to the big show.

An international jury will decide on the next Miss World, who will succeed China's Zhang Zi Lin, who was crowned last year.

South Africa hopes the pageant, broadcast in 180 countries to an estimated 1 billion viewers, will help overcome Johannesburg's reputation for crime and promote the city as a tourist spot.

Julia Morley, head of the Miss World committee that organizes the event, said the pageant also serves a charitable purpose.