The Great Wall of China has been selected one of the new seven wonders of the world in a poll that attracted more than 90 million votes from around the globe.

Brazil’s Statue of Christ the Redeemer, Peru’s Machu Picchu, Mexico’s Chichen Itza pyramid, Jordan’s Petra, the Colosseum in Rome and India’s Taj Mahal were also chosen as the modern-day seven wonders of the world. The seven winners were announced during a televised ceremony* at the Benfica stadium in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon, which was broadcast to an audience of 1.6 billion in more than 100 countries and regions.

Xinhuanet.com said the Great Wall got the largest number of votes.

A lot of stars and celebrities*, including Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva, Prime Minister Jose Socrates and Spanish tenor* Jose Carreras, attended the ceremony.

After the announcement, the New Seven Wonders of the World organizers awarded certificates and souvenir badges* to representatives from the seven nations.

In a speech, Han Guowei, an official of China’s Great Wall Society, thanked the event’s organizers and people who voted for the Great Wall.

“Thanks to its great charm, the Great Wall was named as one of the new wonders,” he said, adding that all friends from around the world are welcome to China to experience its “greatness and eternity*.”

A private foundation*, established by Swiss-Canadian adventurer* Bernard Weber, launched the contest in January, allowing Internet and telephone voters to choose between 21 sites shortlisted* from 77 earlier selected by a jury*. It said it had received more than 90 million votes by the end of polling at midnight Friday.

Losing out were the Acropolis in Athens, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the statues on Easter Island and Britain’s Stonehenge.

The foundation, which aims to encourage cultural diversity* by supporting, preserving and restoring monuments, and inspire people to value their heritage*, said it would use 50 percent of net revenue from the project to fund restoration efforts around the world.

However, UNESCO, the U.N. cultural body that designates world heritage sites, declined to support the event.

(Xinhua)