People fly kites during the 7th Otaki Kite Festival on the beach of Otaki, New Zealand, Feb 16-17. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Kites with distinctive Chinese characteristics wowed kite lovers from all over the world at the 7th Otaki Kite Festival on the beach of Otaki, a coastal town in the North Island of New Zealand, Feb 16-17.

It was the first time for the China Cultural Centre in New Zealand to attend such an event. "The cooperation will enhance cultural exchange with local residents and provide an effective way to promote Chinese kite culture," said Guo Zongguang, director of the centre.

Through the introduction of Zhang Jianyong, director of the teaching team of the centre, visitors interested in Chinese kites got to know the history of kites originating in China and the kite making process that has been inherited for centuries.

Zhang also introduced the large-scale international kite festival in Weifang, the cradle of kites in Shandong province, which arouses kite lovers' enthusiasm to trace the roots of kite culture.

A Chinese dragon kite moves through the sky. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]