Changchun, capital of northeast China's Jilin Province, is to celebrate its 200th birthday on July 8 with a full schedule of festivities.

The celebration is themed to commemorate its founding 200 years ago and recall the two centuries of development, especially the country's reform and opening-up in the past two decades, according to Yin Linong, a publicity officer with the Changchun Municipal Government.

Activities include artistic performances, lectures, an art show and outdoor cultural programs, according to the official.

Over the next year, the city will also host fairs on tourism, a flower show, a sculpture exhibition, a film contest, a book fair, and activities focusing on agricultural technology and educational development.

With a population of 2.8 million, Changchun is one of the country's major industrial bases in forestry, automobile manufacturing and film production.