The opening ceremony of the "2012 Friendship Competition of Ambassadors or Madams on Knowing Chinese Culture" was held on Feb 29. "The World Wonder-Dujiangyan Irrigation System" was launched at the same time.

Fifty-nine ambassadors, 200 diplomats from 106 countries, and 200 reporters from 50 Chinese and foreign mainstream media were introduced to Sichuan culture and people at the event.

The "Friendship Competition of Ambassadors or Madams on Knowing Chinese Culture" event is sponsored by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. It has been held for 10 consecutive years since 2002.

At the event, a foreign ambassador delegate read out the international declaration to promote Chinese cultures (Dujiangyan) globally. The delegate also read a statement in support of the application for Dujiangyan Qingming Drain-off to become a world intangible cultural heritage area.

The Dujiangyan Irrigation System is the oldest maintained irrigation work in the world. It survived the 8-magnitude earthquake on May 12, 2008. The ancient system has produced social, economic, environmental and ecological benefits over the past 2,000 years.

The organizing committee will invite foreign diplomats from 30 countries to attend the 2012 Qingming Drain-off Ceremony from April 2 to 5.

"Adjacent to this ancient system is Qingcheng Mountain. It is one of the cradles of Chinese Taoism. The Hollywood blockbuster Kung Fu Panda was sourced from this mountain," said Dong Guowei, director of the Dujiangyan Foreign Affairs Office.

Dujiangyan city will hold cultural activities for foreign diplomats from more than 100 countries. These activities include a Chinese calligraphy exhibition, Qingcheng martial arts show, Sichuan long-necked kettle tea art competition and Taoism longevity banquet.