Ninghai News Network (reporter Wei Jian) Ninghai in May boasts green vegetation, beautiful mountains and rivers. On the morning of May 19th, the Ninghai 5.19 Square was decorated with colorful balloons and flowers, creating a festive atmosphere. A grand opening ceremony of the Fifth China (Ninghai) Xu Xiake Tourism Festival was held here.

    On the rostrum seated leaders and guests who were invited to the event: Wang Wenyuan, Vice-Chairman of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee, Zhang Mengjin, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Zhejiang Province People's Congress, Jin Deshui, vice governor of Zhejiang province, Zhang Weiwen, Vice Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial CPPCC Committee, Mao Guanglie, Ningbo Mayor and Vice Secretary of the Ningbo Municipal CPC Committee, Cheng Wei, former Vice Chairman of the Zhejiang Provincial CPPCC Committee, Zhang Jianzhong, Secretary for Policies and Regulations of the National Tourism Administration, Jin Jianfan, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Culture Promotion Society and Vice President of the China Festival Council, Wu Xinghua, Director for Social and Legal Affairs of the Zhejiang Provincial CPPCC Committee, Gong Yinyi, Deputy Director of the Zhejiang provincial CPC Committee 's Propaganda Department and Director of the Civilization Office, Chen Zhongfang, Director of the provincial Personnel Department, Song Wei, standing member of the Ningbo Municipal CPC Committee and Director of its Propaganda Department, Zheng Jiemin, Deputy Director of the Standing Committee of the Ningbo Municipal People’s Congress, Xu Mingfu, Vice Mayor of Ningbo city, Yu Yikang, Vice Chairman of the Ningbo Municipal CPPCC Committee, Lin Jingguo, Secretary of the Ninghai County CPC Committee, Wang Jianhou, Deputy Secretary of the Ninghai County CPC Committee and NInghai County Mayor, Lun Hook, general manager of the British electrical lighting Limited, Memphian, president of a Canada manufacturing company, Dai Linjun, Director of the Standing Committee of the Ninghai County People’s Congress, and Yang Jiahe, Chairman of the Ninghai County CPPCC Committee.

    On the rostrum also seated provincial and municipal and county leaders, and leaders who used to work in Ninghai. Deputy County Mayor You Yongcheng presided over the opening ceremony.

    At 9:30am, in the majestic national anthem a red five-star flag was hoisted by armed police soldiers at the main festival venue –the 5.19 Square. The fifth China (Ninghai) Xu Xiake Tourism Festival opened.

    On behalf of the CPC Ninghai County Committee and the county government, Lin Jingguo, Secretary of the Ninghai County CPC Committee, delivered a speech. He said that since the first China (Ninghai) Xu Xiake Tourism Festival in 2002, they have being making efforts to fully display Ninghai people’s good outlook, Ninghai’s beautiful landscapes and scenery, long history and rich culture. The Festival has become a "big stage" for the promotion of Ninghai’s economic and social development and an exquisite "business card" of Ninghai. Now under the background of speeding up the building of a harmonious new county, with the Ninghai spirit of "strong, upright, generous", Ninghai people are passionately making efforts to build a comprehensive well-off society. The Fifth festival will surely play an active role in the healthy economic development of the county and create good opportunities for the harmonious happy life of Ninghai people. We believe that with the full support of all our friends, the fifth festival will yield fruitful results, said Mr. Lin.

    On behalf of the CPC Ningbo Committee and the municipal government, Vice Mayor Xu Mingfu extended warm congratulations to the festival. He said that since the first festival, they had been adhere to the principles of “building a platform with tourism and culture elements, promoting economic and trade activities and communication with people, taking tourism as the media, and meeting friends during travel”. The festival has widespread influence in China and has been among the country's top 100 festivals. It is an important platform and a big event for the promotion of tourism development, the promotion of economic and trade cooperation and the enrichment of cultural elements. The festival will surely further promote the eco-tourism brand building, the concerted development of tourism, economy and culture.

    Vice governor Jin Deshui in his speech expressed his hope that through the festival, Ninghai would further accelerate the development of tourism resources, actively improve the development environment to attract foreign tourists and businessmen to come for sightseeing and trade negotiations. He called Ninghai to take this opportunity promoting the coordinated development of related industries, and to make unremitting efforts for the economic and social development of Ninghai.

    With colorful balloons rising in the air and ribbons waving, Wang Wenyuan, Zhang Mengjin, Jin Deshui, Zhang Weiwen, Mao Guanglie, Cheng Wei, Song Wei, Zheng Jiemin, Xu Mingfu, Yu Yikang, Lin Jingguo, Wang Jianhou and other leaders cut ribbon for the Fifth China (Ninghai) Xu Xiake Tourism Festival opening ceremony.

    In a warm applause, Wang Wenyuan, Vice-Chairman of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee, announced the opening of: the Festival!

    After the opening ceremony, leaders and guests watched the grand ceremony in commemoration of Xu Xiake, a well-known travel writer and geographer of Ming Dynasty.