Construction on the cultural and exhibition center for the 2003 Miss World beauty pageant commenced on May 1 as scheduled in Sanya of south China's island province of Hainan.
The center is expected to be completed by Oct. 31 this year.
The first phase of the project includes building a 35-meter-tall tower, the main building, a square, a parking lot and a cruise ship wharf with a total floor space of 40,000 square meters. During the second phase, a recreation center will be built.
This is the first time for China to host the annual Miss World pageant. The decision was made at last year's contest.
(Xinhua News Agency May 9, 2003)
