Black is beautiful

The recently crowned Miss Africa in China said she joined the competition because she thought it would be fun way to meet people, but the judges soon learned she was more than a pretty face.

Archlyn Bruce (pronounced "arch-lin"), 21, beat 15 young women to take the title at Beijing's Huadu Hotel earlier this month.

"I heard about the competition from this woman, Mrs Sherman, from my embassy because she heard that I had done two pageants before," said Bruce. "I had just come to China and I thought it would be a cool way to meet new people. She also agreed to help me do my hair and makeup and my outfits."