The 8th Qingdao International Sailing Week and Qingdao International Marine Festival will open at the city of Qingdao's Olympic Sailing Center, on Aug 5, Qingdao daily reports on July 20, noting that this year's event, which runs 10 days, is focused on international sailing competitions and related cultural exchanges.

The festival started back in 2009 and it has grown over time and is important in turning Qingdao into a crucial part of the New Eurasian Land Bridge and China's cooperative maritime strategy.

This year it will highlight internationalism, openness and participation to give Qingdao's sports industry a boost as well as the marine economy, culture, tourism, technology and environmental protection, with more than 30 activities, the most striking of which are the Qingdao International Sailing Competition, Mayor's Cup Round Island Regatta, and the Qingdao International Optimist Training Camp.

The organizers say that one of last year's participants, Russia's 108-meter sailing ship, the "Pallada", will be taking part in this year's event Aug 5 - 8.

Classical Russian square-rigged sailing ship, the "Pallada". [Photo/qingdaonews.com]