More than 300 VIPs from over 10 countries and regions were treated to the spectacular, 2002 China Changchun Jingyuetan Ice and Snow Festival which opened yesterday.

Tourists, businessmen and celebrities from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, USA, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Spain, Russia and South Korea were all invited to attend the annual event in the capital city.

Li Shu, mayor of Changchun said the city is to turn its annual ice and snow festival into a bridge to connect Chinese people and foreign friends from all over the world.

"To invite more overseas celebrities to the festival will not only promote the city's tourism industry, but will also play a vital role in furthering the city's opening-up, especially in terms of tapping more overseas Chinese markets after China's entry into the World Trade Organization," said Huang Wenhua, director of Changchun Municipal Tourism Bureau.

Changchun is one of the country's two cities renowned for its beautiful landscapes and wealthy activities in the winter season. The other is Harbin in Heilongjiang Province.

Huang said the 88-day festival will offer opportunities for tourists from both home and abroad to appreciate the delicate snow and ice sculptures, ice lanterns, ski resorts and will also offer the chance for tourists to experience the life of Northeastern locals.

(China Daily January 2, 2002)