Miss China Zi Lin Zhang crowned Miss World 2007

Miss China Zi Lin Zhang was crowned Miss World 2007 at a glittering event at the Chinese tourist resort of Sanya Saturday, beating 106 participants

Miss China Zi Lin Zhang was crowned Miss World 2007 at a glittering event at the Chinese tourist resort of Sanya Saturday, beating 106 participants. India's Sarah-Jane Dias failed to make it to the semi-finals.

Miss Angola Micaela Reis, 18, was the first runner up while 19-year-old Carolina Mor n from Mexico was the second runner up at the gala Saturday night held in the Crown of Beauty Theater at Sanya in Hainan province.

Zhang was crowned by last year's Miss World, Tatana Kucharova, from the Czech Republic, after Julia Morley, chairperson of the Miss World Organisation and of the international panel of judges, announced her name as the winner.

Valene Maharaj of Trinidad and Tobago and Annie Oliv of Sweden were the other two in the last five at the pageant, the second largest edition after Miss World 2003.

The delegates reached Sanya on November 2 and visited a number of popular spots in China.

In the fast track awards, Zhang was the Miss World Top Model, Miss Dominican Republic Ada Aim e de la Cruz the Miss World Beach Beauty, Miss United States Abigail McCary the Miss World Sports and Miss Ghana Irene Dwomoh the Miss World Talent.

The Beauty With A Purpose title was won jointly by Miss Ecuador Valeska Saab and Miss Hong Kong Kayi Cheung.

Unlike 2005 and 2006 editions, this year's event did not have continental zones in the selection of the semi-finalists.

The event, hosted by Chinese TV presenter Angela Chow and Latin American celebrity Fernando Allende, also witnessed some high voltage and touching dance performances.

One of the highlights was Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, introducing his grandfather's televised message on World Aids Day. It was followed by children from South Africa and a local school and all the contestants joining in singing the World Aids Day song.