The 2012 Qingdao International Marine Festival will kick off in Qingdao, a coastal city of Shandong province, on July 20.

An opening ceremony will be held on the night of July 20 to kick off the festival. The 16-day festival will take place in Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center.

Various activities themed on marine culture, tourism, sports, science and technology, blue economy, as well as a navy demonstration will be held during the festival.

The Qingdao International Marine Festival, established in 1999, is co-organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, State Oceanic Administration, National Tourism Administration, and Qingdao municipal government.