The 12th Qingdao International Beer Festival is scheduled to be held in this seaside resort city between August 17 and September 1, local officials have announced.

About 200 brands of beer made by a dozen world-famous beer manufacturers from Germany, the United States, Denmark and Britain as well as China will be represented at the festival in the city of Shandong Province, east China.

The city is renowned for its German-style beer.

The festival will feature a beer drinking contest, exhibition of local folk customs, and a sand sculpture competition.

About 10,000 people are expected to gather to drink a range of beers at the festival.

Other activities to be staged during the festival include the 12th Asian Sailboat Championship, an exhibition of selected calligraphy works, and a national four-wheel motorcycle championship.

( eastday.com June 20, 2002)