This year's Nanning International Arts Festival of Folk Songs and China-ASEAN Expo will be held simultaneously in the capital of south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Organizers said at a Tuesday news conference that the combined events are considered one of the country's most important cultural activities, and that both festivals will have the same opening ceremony called "Flying Song 2004". CRI.com reported Wednesday.

The annual Nanning music festival will stage popular singers and stars from both China and abroad. Other activities include a fashion show, tourism and food festival and an international dragon boat competition.

(CRI.com July 22, 2004)