The Ninth World Leisure Congress, themed "Leisure Integral to Social, Cultural and Economic Development", was opened on Sunday evening in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province.

Derek Casey, Chair of World Leisure Board, said the meeting will focus on leisure policies, the benefits of leisure, and the impact of cultural nuances on leisure policies.

Feng Jun, director of the Hangzhou World Leisure Expo office, said the congress provides a platform for the domestic leisure industry to learn about advanced concepts and development paths from more established overseas counterparts.

The congress, hosted by the World Leisure Organization and Hangzhou Leisure Expo Committee, features 88 forums. It runs until October 20.

Held once every two years since its inception in 1988, the tenth congress will be held in Quebec, Canada, in 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2006)