The Fourth World Choir Games, previously known as "Choir Olympics", opened yesterday in Xiamen, a coastal city of southeastern Fujian Province with about 20,000 singers of from 400 choirs participated.

Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhilli read a letter sent by the Chinese President Hu Jintao at the opening ceremony, in which Hu expressed his congratulations on the Games and welcome to the choirs from all over the world.

The games symbolized the heartfelt wishes of the world for peace, development, cooperation, unity, friendship and harmony, Hu Jintao said in the letter.

"The Chinese people are willing to join with the international community in building a peaceful and prosperous world," Hu said.

The 12-day event was jointly organized by the municipal government of Xiamen and the German-based non-governmental organization Foderverein Interkultur (international cultural exchanges fund).

Held every other year, the last three competitions were held in Austria, Korea and Germany respectively.

The games this year comprises 52 contests and 75 famous Chinese and foreign musicians makes up the judge panel. Concerts, performances of traditional Chinese singing and an academic forum are also scheduled.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2006)