The 2016 China Children's Traditional Chinese Culture Competition recently had its finals for the Qingdao division, at the Lion Mall, qingdaonews reports on July 13, noting that its purpose is to increase children's interest in traditional culture and to promote a sense of national pride among adults and confidence in their culture.

Putting the last touches on a girl dressed in Peking opera clothing. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

This competition, which started in May with sponsorship from the China National Committee for the Wellbeing of Youth and the China Confucius Foundation, has seen more than 2,000 kids, 4 - 5 years old, signing up, with 57 groups of participants making it to the finals.

Reciting classical Chinese works in traditional academic clothing. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]

There will be 30 stand-outs chosen for the national finals in August. All contestants wear traditional clothing for their performances in front of a judges' panel and an audience. These can cover classical poetry recitations, prose, painting, folk arts, dance, or martial arts. This non-profit event gets a lot of support from all sectors of society, and attracts many would-be contestants from nearby Qingdao.

Reciting classical Chinese works dressed in traditional academic costumes. [Photo/qingdaonews.com]