A grand celebration marking the birthday of Yandi, or Emperor Yan, was held on May 28 in Suizhou, Hubei province.

Emperor Yan is a legendary figure who is believed to have created a primitive form of agriculture in Neolithic times.

Emperor Yan's birthday has been quietly observed in spontaneous gatherings in the past. In 2009, though, the government in Hubei province began sponsoring the events in Suizhou, Yan's hometown, and inviting Chinese living overseas to come and discover their roots.

At the celebration were Chen Changzhi, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress, Li Wuwei, vice-chairman of the the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, representatives of overseas Chinese and various other officials.