Miss Chinese International Pageant (, formerly 國際華裔小姐競選), or MCI () for short, is an annual international beauty pageant, organized and broadcast by TVB, a network television station in Hong Kong. It was established in 1988 and the Chinese name of the pageant was rebranded in 2007.
The current Miss Chinese International is Miss Hong Kong 2018 winner Hera Chan, who was crowned at the Miss Chinese International Pageant 2019.
The 31st Miss Chinese International Pageant of 2020, originally scheduled to take place February 2020, was postponed to 2021 due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Composition
At its inception in 1988, in what was formerly British Hong Kong, delegates were either winners or runners-up of regional Chinese beauty pageants around the world excluding the country of China, as originally, this was a pageant for Chinese delegates from overseas. In 2007, pageant organizers altered the entry requirements to include delegates representing Mainland China. All delegates at the time of the pageant are between the ages at least of 17 and 25, with the upper age limit expanded to 27 in 2012. The delegates must be of at least partial Chinese descent.
In 2009, a record number of 11 delegates came from Mainland China, more than one-third of the total contestant count. The number of China delegates has since decreased, with the 2013 pageant having only one Mainland Chinese delegate, representing Foshan.
Chinese name change Starting in 2007, the pageant allowed mainland Chinese participants, and the Chinese name of the pageant changed from 國際華裔小姐競選 (Cantonese: Gwokjai Wayeui Siuje Gingsyun; Mandarin: Guójì huáyì xiǎojiě jìngxuǎn), which literally translated to "Miss International of Chinese Descent Pageant" to 國際中華小姐競選 (Cantonese: Gwokjai Jungwa Siuje Gingsyun (Mandarin: Guójì zhōnghuá xiǎojiě jìngxuǎn) to reflect the change, matching the English pageant title of Miss Chinese International Pageant.
Participating regions
Africa Johannesburg, South Africa (1989; 1992–1997; 2003; 2006–2007; 2016–2017)
The Americas North America Calgary, Alberta, Canada (1988–1996, 1998–2005, 2007–2008) Chicago, United States (1989–2007, 2009–2015, 2019) Edmonton, Alberta, Canada (1988–1993) Honolulu, United States (1995; 1997; 1999; 2001–2002; 2018–present) Los Angeles, United States (1993–2005; 2013–present) Montreal, Quebec, Canada (1988–present) New York City, United States (1993–present) San Francisco, United States (1988–2010; 2014–2015; 2017-present) Scarborough, Ontario, Canada (1988, 1991) Seattle, United States (1988–2010; 2013–2015) Toronto, Ontario, Canada (1988–present) Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (1988–present) Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (1989–1994)
South America Lima, Peru (2003–2006)
Europe Amsterdam, Netherlands (2002–2010) Frankfurt, Germany (2005) The Hague, Netherlands (2002) London, England (1988-1991; 1996–2000; 2012; 2019) Paris, France (2008) Rotterdam, Netherlands (2007) Tübingen, Germany (2009)
Asia Bangkok, Thailand (1991–1998; 2000–2008; 2010–2017; 2019) Beijing, China (2009-2012) Brunei (1993) Chongqing, China (2008–2009) Dalian, Liaoning, China (2012) Foshan, Guangdong, China (2007–2010; 2013–2015; 2017-present) Guangdong, China (2007–2012) Guangxi, China (2007) Hangzhou, China (2008-2009) Harbin, China (2009) Heilongjiang, China (2009) Hong Kong (1988–present) Jiangsu, China (2015) Ipoh, Malaysia (1993) Jilin, China (2009) Johor State, Malaysia (1991) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1995–present) Laos (2018–present) Macau (1988–1998; 2009–2010) Manila, Philippines (1988–1994; 2000–2013; 2017–2018) Nanjing, Jiangsu, China (2009; 2016) Nanning, China (2007) Penang, Malaysia (1989–1992) Quezon City, Philippines (1994) Singapore (1988–present) Taipei, Chinese TaipeiDue to the complexities of the relations between it and the People's Republic of China, the Republic of China (ROC or "Taiwan") is not represented in the Miss Chinese International Pageant under its official name "Republic of China" or as "Taiwan" but competes under the name "Chinese Taipei". See One-China policy and Chinese Civil War for details. (1988–2006) Wuhan, Hubei, China (2009) Zhengzhou, Henan, China (2009-2012)
Oceania Auckland, New Zealand (1991-2017) Brisbane, Australia (1988–2005; 2019) Christchurch, New Zealand (1993) Hastings, New Zealand (1989-1991) Melbourne, Australia (1988–present) Sydney, Australia (1988–present) Tahiti, French Polynesia (1988–2010; 2018–present)
Pageant timeframe The first two pageants (1988 & 1989) were held in the fourth quarter of the calendar year. However, in 1990, TVB decided to shift the pageant date to the beginning of the year to coincide with Lunar New Year. But since Miss Chinese International Pageant 1989 was not held until mid-December, the 3rd Miss Chinese International Pageant came early 1991 with no pageant being held in 1990. Since then, the pageant was held late January or early February of every year.
In 2010, the pageant reverted to being held in November, delaying the 22nd Miss Chinese International Pageant by almost 10 months. Therefore, Christine Kuo, Miss Chinese International 2009 is the longest serving titleholder, having served 658 days from January 17, 2009 to November 5, 2010. The delay of the pageant meant that several regional titleholders from 2009 were not able to enter Miss Chinese International Pageant 2010 as they have already crowned their successors by November 2010, including Miss Hong Kong 2009 Sandy Lau. Miss Hong Kong Pageant 2010 was held in August and Lau's successor, Toby Chan, represented Hong Kong in Miss Chinese International 2010 instead.
One year later, TVB announced that the 23rd Miss Chinese International Pageant would be delayed until January 15, 2012, meaning that there would be no pageant held in 2011.Miss Chinese International Pageant 2012 Announcement TVB.com article (In Chinese). Retrieved 2011-10-21 This is the first time since 1990 a pageant would not be held during a calendar year. As with the year before, several regional titleholders from 2010 would not be able to enter Miss Chinese International Pageant 2012 as they have already crowned their successors by the end of 2011. However, the organizers allowed 2010 regional titleholders from Auckland, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver to compete with their 2011 counterparts in Miss Chinese International 2012, marking a first in the pageant's history where two representatives of the same region compete together.
The 31st Miss Chinese International Pageant was originally scheduled to take place on February 15, 2020 in Hong Kong. However, on January 28, 2020, organizer TVB announced that due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, for the safety of the delegates, crew, and audience, the pageant would be postponed to the year 2021, with the actual date to be announced.Miss Chinese International Pageant 2020 postponement announcement TVB official Facebook account article (In Chinese). Retrieved 2020-02-06
Results Delegates representing Canadian cities have won 11 iterations of the competition; with Vancouver winning seven titles (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2013, 2016), Toronto three times (1992, 1997 and 2009) and Montreal once (1993).
Delegates from pageant organizer Hong Kong have won four times (1988, 2000, 2014, 2019), and have recorded the most top three finishes with 19.
Delegates representing New York City, USA have won thrice, first in 1999, followed by back-to-back wins in 2017 and 2018.
Major award winners YearDateWinner1st Runner-Up2nd Runner-UpMiss Friendship1988Oct 2, 1988Michele Monique Reis Hong KongTammy Marie LeeSeattle, Sharon KwokSan Francisco, Tanya LimCalgary, 1989Dec 17, 1989Kit WongSydney, Monica Chan Hong KongGuilhermina Madeira da Silva Pedrugo Macau —1990 colspan=5 1991Feb 10, 1991Yen-Thean LengAnita Yuen Hong KongHazel CheungMontreal, Deanna Kay LeungSeattle, 1992Jan 26, 1992Rosemary ChanToronto, Amy Kwok Hong KongValerie H. LeeSan Francisco, [Sherine Seng]Auckland, 1993Jan 10, 1993Christy ChungMontreal, Emily Lo Hong KongElaine Barbara DerVancouver, Stephanie ChangSeattle, 1994Jan 23, 1994Saesim Pornapa SuiBangkok, Diane WangNew York City, I-Man ChaoSeattle, Marie Catherine MunozManila, 1995Jan 22, 1995Hsiang-Ling KuTaipei, Darabhorn BhakdeeratnaBangkok, Edna WeiLos Angeles, Gloria HuiVancouver, 1996Jan 27, 1996Siew-Kee ChengMelissa NgSan Francisco, Amy Chung (Dethroned)[a]New York City, Winnie Yeung Hong Kong1997Jan 26, 1997Monica LoToronto, San San Lee Hong KongKulsatri KonjanawannBangkok, Wendy GiamKuala Lumpur, 1998Jan 25, 1998Louisa LukSan Francisco, Lisa VongthongBangkok, Kalyane TeaMontreal, May Ling LaiChicago, 1999Feb 14, 1999Michelle YeNew York City, Janet HuangLos Angeles, Anne HeungMabel WongCalgary, 2000Feb 6, 2000Sonija KwokTiffany YangLos Angeles, Crystal PanVancouver, Jessie ChengMelbourne, 2001Jan 20, 2001Bernice LiuVancouver, Jennifer HuangMontreal, Vivian LauHsing-Ting ChiangTaipei, 2002Jan 27, 2002Shirley ZhouVancouver, Christie BartramToronto, Angela FooKuala Lumpur, Marjorie WuHonolulu, 2003Jan 25, 2003Rachel TanKuala Lumpur, Tiffany LamDiana WuToronto, Lola GongAmsterdam, 2004Jan 17, 2004Linda ChungVancouver, Mandy ChoCarlene AguilarManila, Mandy Cho2005Jan 29, 2005Leanne LiVancouver, Fala ChenNew York City, Jessica YoungMelbourne, Jolene ChinKuala Lumpur, 2006Jan 21, 2006Ina LuJohannesburg, Ginney KanchanawatBangkok, Annabelle KongKuala Lumpur, Annabelle KongKuala Lumpur, 2007Jan 20, 2007Sarah SongSydney, Ivy LuJohannesburg, Sherry ChenToronto, Parichat WisuthiphattBangkok, 2008Jan 26, 2008Océane ZhuParis, Kayi CheungAileen XuChongqing, Delaine LeeCalgary, 2009Jan 17, 2009Christine KuoToronto, Skye ChanCici ChenVancouver, Skye Chan2010Nov 5, 2010Eliza SamVancouver, Belle ThengKuala Lumpur, Candy ChangToronto, Lu BaiFoshan, 2011 colspan=5 2012Jan 15, 2012Kelly CheungChicago, Cheryl WeeSingapore, Lenna LimKuala Lumpur, Ashton HongToronto, 2013Feb 24, 2013Gloria TangVancouver, Denise Camillia TanKuala Lumpur, Carat CheungLauren WeinbergerLos Angeles, 2014Jan 26, 2014Grace ChanCindy ZhongVancouver, Lucia Ting-Li LorigianoMontreal, Mandi Cheung2015Jan 25, 2015Mandy ChaiSydney, Veronica ShiuCatherine HuiNew York City, Christina JinAuckland, 2016Jan 23, 2016Jennifer CoosemansVancouver, Mary ChenNew York City, Tiana LuanSydney, Alice WongLos Angeles, 2017Jan 15, 2017Stitch YuNew York City, Serene LimKuala Lumpur, Crystal FungAdelaide LeeJohannesburg, 2018Feb 3, 2018Rose LiNew York City, Angela LiuLos Angeles, Juliette LouieCrystal YangHawaii, 2019Mar 2, 2019Hera ChanStephanie WangHawaii, Gina WuNew York City, Tavee MeesangBangkok,
Notes a ^ In 1999, Amy Chung was stripped of her title of Miss Chinese International 1996 Second Runner-Up and had her artiste contract with TVB terminated when it was discovered that she had an outstanding warrant for her arrest in USA as she left the country to enter the pageant while on probation stemming from a credit card fraud conviction. Chung had also lied about her academic credentials, claiming to have a Masters Degree from Harvard University when she only has taken a course from Harvard Extension School.Amy Chung Destroyed Her Future Article from The Sun (Hong Kong) (In Chinese) dated 2002-10-05. Retrieved on 2011-12-01. The title has yet to be filled since.
Gallery of Winners
References
External links
Miss Chinese International Pageant 2017 Official Page