Kites in various shapes and sizes are seen at the kite festival in Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: weifangfabu]

The 41st Weifang International Kite Festival and the 2024 Weifang Kite Carnival kicked off in Weifang, East China's Shandong province on April 19.

This event is not only a competitive competition for kite enthusiasts to showcase their skills, but also a magnificent event that promotes Weifang around the world.

Officials of the Shandong provincial government and Weifang municipal government, ambassadors to China and representatives from international associations attended the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony of the 41st Weifang International Kite Festival and the 2024 Weifang Kite Carnival is held in Weifang, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liu Yun, Party secretary of Weifang, said that the first Weifang International Kite Festival opened 40 years ago, allowing this city to deeply integrate into the world.

Khalil Hashmi, ambassador of Pakistan to China, made a speech at the opening ceremony, saying that the Weifang International Kite Festival is a global event celebrating friendship, innovation, and the joy of flying kites.

"The event has built bridges for promoting consensus and understanding, transcending national borders, and fostering friendships. We will take this opportunity to further promote political, economic, and cultural exchanges between China, Weifang, and Pakistan, deepen mutual understanding, strengthen economic ties, and deepen friendship in promoting social development," added Hashmi.

During this year's kite festival, activities such as the 20th World Kite Championship have been planned, turning the event into an international platform for economic and cultural exchanges with rich traditional cultural characteristics.

The 20th World Kite Championship, which kicked off on April 20, attracted 137 teams from 46 countries and regions, with a total of 465 participants and 509 kites.

A dragon-shaped kite adorned with flags of various countries is captured soaring into the sky. [Photo/WeChat account: weifangfabu]

A foreign participant poses for a photo with a kite. [Photo/WeChat account: weifangfabu]

A long kite is designed into the shape of the China-Europe freight train. [Photo/WeChat account: weifangfabu]