The 2020 Qingdao International Sailing Week and Qingdao International Marine Festival kicked off on Aug 8 in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province.
During the opening ceremony, the municipal sports bureaus of Qingdao, Yantai, Weifang, Weihai, Rizhao, Dongying and Binzhou signed a contract to establish the Shandong Peninsula Sailing City Alliance.
The Qingdao Major International Sailing Events (Festival) Organizing Committee also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Shandong Port Group to host the Shandong Peninsula Sailing Race series.
Global organizations such as the World Union of Olympic Cities and the International Sailing Federation and Qingdao's sister and cooperative cities have sent their well-wishes for the event through videos.
According to the organizers, nearly 40 activities will take place during this year's event, including sailing competitions, cultural exchanges, match-making sessions, fitness activities and tourism promotions.
The Shandong Peninsula City Sailing Race, the Coastal City Sailing Race, the "Langya Cup" Sailing Race and the "Qingdao - Shenzhen" Twin Cities Sailing Race will be held for the first time this year.
Concerts, ocean exhibitions, short video competitions, marine-themed lectures and land-sea cruise carnivals will also take place during the festival.
The event will end on Aug 16.