The sixth Chinese folk arts festival has started in Jinzhong in Shanxi Province, northwest China. 

The festival has attracted more-than 2000 artists from across China to perform in the festival which aims to protecting Chinese traditional arts and culture.

It is estimated more than 20 thousand domestic and foreign spectators will attend the festival, which this year includes an exhibition of folk custom photographs.

Chinese folk arts festivals started in 1989 and have been held in many cities including Beijing, Taiyuan and Wuxi. 

(Shenzen Daily September 27, 2004)