THE 2011 China (Qingdao) International Ocean Festival commenced at the city’s Olympic Sailing Center on July 23.

    The 18-day event includes 31 activities featuring ocean culture, ocean economy, naval exhibition, ocean sports, ocean technology and ocean tourism.

    During the festival, visitors can enjoy a 50-percent discount on tickets to the Olympic Sailing Museum, in which there will be a special exhibition on the sailing event of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

    People can also board a warship at the Olympic Sailing Center. The navy will send teams to participate in sports competitions during the festival, such as swimming, sailing and sampan.

    People from Beijing, Shanghai and Shandong will take part in the sailing competition during the festival.

    In addition, an imported helicopter, AS350, will enable visitors to tour the city. (Li Hao, Zhao Di)