About 10,000 young people from the United States, Japan, Australia and other countries are due to gather in east China on August 20 to promote world peace.

They will congregate in Penglai city in Shandong Province to sing Ode to Peace in unison. The opening ceremony of the gathering will be held simultaneously in Penglai and White House Square, Washington, in the United States, according to Shandong officials.

The six-day event is organized by the China National Commissionof the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in cooperation with the China Tourism Association and the Shandong Provincial People's Government.

Event activities include mass calligraphy and painting, an international pop music week, street concerts, peace films, a beach volleyball match, a sailing contest and evening dance party.

Ambassadors from 16 countries to China are expected to attend the opening ceremony on August 20.

It will be the third time for Penglai city to host the annual event which began in 2000.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2002)