The city is known as the "birthplace of kites" in China.

"The international kite festival has narrowed the distance between Weifang and the world," says Tian Qingying, Party secretary of Weifang, at the opening ceremony.

"With nearly 40 years of development, the event has become an international cultural and sports event and also an important platform to promote international exchanges and cooperation."

Weifang now has more than 300 kite-making enterprises, generating 2 billion yuan ($305 million) worth of kites every year. Kites produced in the city are sold to over 40 countries and regions.

"The number of our kites sold overseas increased by 30 percent last year, as many people chose to fly kites to keep themselves in good health," says Wang Yongxun, general manager of the Tiancheng Feiyuan Kite in Yangjiabu village.

"This year, we created a 172-meter-long kite in the shape of a dragon. It consists of two parts: A 100-meter part carries our wishes for the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding, and a 72-meter part, celebrating the founding of New China (in 1949)."