The World Beauty Organization (WBO),the sponsor of the 2004 Miss Intercontinental competition, signed a contract here on Tuesday to accept the crown donated by ShenzhenFuqi Jewelry Co. Ltd., announcing the prelude to the final for the2004 Miss Intercontinental.

    The final will be held in Hohhot, capital of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region on July 24, when beauties from 62countries around the world will run for the title of 2004 Miss Intercontinental.

    "It is the first time for the competition to be held in Asia since it started 34 years ago," said Detlef Tursies, president of WBO.

    Arriving in Beijing on July 3, the 62 beauties will travel fromBeijing to Shenzhen, a city in south China's Guangdong province, to southwest China's Guizhou province, to Xiamen, a city in southeast China's Fujian province, to east China's Shanghai municipality and to east China's Shandong province, where a seriesof activities and charity performances will be held.

    The crown named Oriental Holy Water is worth three million yuan(361,446 US dollars). The design was inspired by water, the sourceof life, representing the natural beauty and purity of women.

    "It is the most expensive crown for all beauty competitions around the world," said Detlef Tursies.

    With its headquarters based on Panama, Singapore and Germany, the WBO has the sponsorship of three annual competitions, the MissIntercontinental, Mr. Intercontinental and World Super Model.