Miss Peru takes Miss World crown
Maria Julia Mantilla Garcia, dressed in a shimmering blue dress, burst into tears at the announcement, after winning the hearts of the audience saying that what she would miss most about the competition was its host town, Sanya.
'I don't speak very good English. But the smiles of the people transcend language,' she said through an interpreter.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Viewers from around the world called in to vote for contestants, choosing Garcia over runner-up Miss Dominican Republic, Claudia Julissa Cruz Rodriguez. The second runner-up was Miss USA Nancy Randall.
In 2002 the contest moved to Britain from Nigeria after a controversy.
This was the second year the Miss World contest was held in Sanya, on the semi-tropical island of Hainan, and organisers have applied to hold the event at the same venue next year, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
Far from clinging to Mao-era norms, when makeup and high fashion were considered counter-revolutionary, the southern city has embraced the pageant as a way to boost its tourism potential.
The victorious new Miss World is studying to be a high school teacher and enjoys painting, films and dance.