Xi'an spreading the message of peace

One hundred teenagers in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi province, recited an ode to peace as 224 doves were released into the air and the prayer bell at the Jianfu Temple rang out to commemorate the International Day of Peace.

Residents hung 224 peace blessing sachets they made - one for every country and region in the world - on a board to form a world map to pray for peace.

Chen Yuexiu, a 45-year-old farmer and artist, who displayed her paintings to commemorate the day, told China Daily that she prayed for peace with her works and thought her contribution to peace was to work hard to make her family wealthy.