The race will be part of the celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 50th anniversary of the peaceful liberation of Tibet, local officials said.

Following the race, a grand gala performance including singing, dancing and a fashion show will be staged.

Nagqu will also hold a traditional horse racing festival, which will be a combination of horse racing, trading and sightseeing, during the annual local carnival in August.

Last year, the festival attracted as many as 20,000 domestic and overseas tourists, sources said.

(Xinhua News Agency 06/20/2001)