Zhao took on his critics at a press conference.

Zhao Xiaoming, the Zhuangjiajie mayor said, "As the mayor, I think it's my responsibility to promote my city. The form serves for the content, and I think it's of great meaning to promote Zhangjiajie in a way that's easy for people to understand and accept."

Zhao also says the festival has injected vigor in the local economy in the face of the global credit crunch.

The Zhangjiajie International Country Music Week is set to close on Monday, but the local government hopes the festivities won't end there.

Organizers are planning to hold the event every two years, attracting tourists with both the music and their traditional hospitality.