The 2003 China Qufu International Confucius Cultural Festival opened in Qufu City, east China's Shandong Province on Friday.

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

Confucius was a great educator and philosopher of ancient China born in Qufu City. This year is the 2554th anniversary of his birth.

The local government has been developing its cultural industries with the rich resources of Confucianism. From January to August, 60 percent of the city's revenue was contributed by cultural industries, which totaled 230 million yuan (27.8 million US dollars).
 
(Xinhua News Agency September 27, 2003)