China kicked off a series of activities to welcome the coming millennium, which is also the Year of Dragon in the Chinese zodiac coinciding with the millennium only once every 3,000 years.

Organizers for the year 2000 events said activities will include launching theme music and art contests, developing a history of the Chinese people's origins, issuing a valuable artwork the Century Dragon, publishing a commemorative history book and holding an international symposium on Chinese culture.

"We aim to carry forward the outstanding cultural traditions of the Chinese and strengthen the cohesion of the people," said Liu Guochang, secretary-general of the organizing committee.

Well-known professor Zhang Chang with the Central Institute of Arts and Crafts specially designed the Century Dragon artwork, which was made with 220 grams of gold and 2,000 grams of silver.

The committee also plans to invite domestic and overseas Chinese to visit the Great Wall, the Yellow River, Taishan Mountain and other cultural scenic spots. (Xinhua)