Yushan cues up for global elite

Apart from being known as a picturesque tourist resort, Yushan, a county in Shangrao, Jiangxi province, has recently gained renown as a center of snooker.

Following the success of its first two editions, the Yushan Snooker World Open will again showcase a star-studded cast competing for a winner's check of 150,000 pounds ($196,000).

China's Ding Junhui faces a stern test to retain his title at the Aug 6-12 event, with many of the game's elite standing in his way - including world champions Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and Mark Williams.

This year's tournament, officially known as the Hong Rui Ma Cup Snooker World Open, will be the first ranking event staged in China this season and boasts a total prize pool of 735,000 pounds.

"I'm looking forward to the tournament and hope to enjoy it," Ding said at the tournament's launch in Beijing.

"I am pleasantly surprised to see how Yushan has changed in the last few years; it is a beautiful location."

World Snooker also holds the tournament in high regard.

"Snooker's cultural industry has developed through events held in China such as the Yushan World Open," said Miles Pearce, the global governing body's commercial director.