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.

(Xinhua News Agency September 26, 2002)