The 36th International Kite Festival kicked off Saturday at the International Kite Flying Field in Weifang City, east China’s Shandong province.

The festival consists of 30 events in three main categories, including thematic activities, kite flying competitions, exhibitions, economic and trading activities.

New events at the festival include the Weifang International Talents Week, AOPO Aviation Carnival, China Intangible Cultural Relics and Kite Image Ambassador Float Parade, and International Circus Carnival and Extreme Motorbike Stunt.

Over 70 teams with more than 500 players from 65 countries and regions will participate in the kite flying competitions.

The kite festival, running to May 1, will invite kite fliers from over 60 countries to participate in the 15th World Kite Tournament.

The festival, which was initiated in 1984, has become one of the oldest, biggest and most popular kite festivals in China.