China's biggest museum is accepting online votes to help choose its new logo.

The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, began its search for a new design last June, and 2,788 submissions were received from around the world by the closing date of September 30.

Six, short listed by designers, specialists and architects in an appraisal meeting on January 19, were published on the museum's website, www.dpm.org.cn, on January 25 and visitors can vote for their favorite until February 15.

"It's important to have a logo to celebrate the museum's 80th birthday, as it is one of the greatest ancient imperial palaces in the world," said Feng Nai'en, from the museum's administration.

Prize money worth 80,000 yuan (US$9,760) is being offered by the organizing committee.

"The active feedback from home and abroad has been beyond all expectation," said Feng.

The majority of ideas have come from professional and amateur designers living on the Chinese mainland, said Feng. "A clear focus and impressive presentation with a good historical sense were required."

The final result is expected to be revealed in March or April. The winning design will be used in celebrations for the museum's 80th anniversary on October 10.

The Palace Museum was built in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) between 1406 and 1420. Covering an area of 720,000 square meters, it accommodated two dozen or so emperors until 1924, when the deposed Qing (1644-1911) Emperor Pu Yi was expelled from it.

(China Daily February 4, 2005)