Cao Zhi, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, announced the opening of the cultural event in the presence of diplomats from a dozen countries.

During the festival, a grand ceremony will be held to honor Confucius, a great educator and philosopher of ancient China. A series of academic and commercial programs will also be included.

This year is the 2553rd anniversary of the birth of Confucius, who was born in Qufu.

( People's Daily September 27, 2002)