The 2020 China Beibu Gulf Fishing Festival kicks off in Fangchenggang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region on Aug 16. [Photo by Zhou Longfu/gxnews.com.cn]

Fishing boats sail out of the fishing port and start a new journey. [Photo by Zhou Longfu/gxnews.com.cn]

The 2020 China Beibu Gulf Fishing Festival began in Fangchenggang, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, on Aug 16. Mindful of both the current epidemic prevention and control situation and also the requirements of promoting economic development, this year's festival presents online activities, offline forums, and cultural displays.

Sponsored by Guangxi Culture and Tourism Department and Fangchenggang municipal people's government, and lasting from Aug 16 to 23, the festival is primarily based around the online celebrations, including a shopping festival and cultural performances, supplemented by the marine economic development forums held offline.

Experts will be invited to deliver lectures on the marine economy, gathering consensus and wisdom on accelerating the development of the marine economy and the construction of a regional international shipping and trade financial center in the Beibu Gulf.

During the event, visitors will be provided with discounted products - such as golden flower tea, camellia oil, honey and other special and high-quality agricultural products and tourism products from Fangchenggang - through live-streaming. A group of local hotels, scenic spots, rural tourist areas and other cultural tourism enterprises and gourmet restaurants will also offer discounts.

Distinctive cultural works and performances will be published and promoted on online platforms such as WeChat public accounts, including dances and music by the Jing ethnic group as well as the marine culture art works of the city.