The 2000 Tianjin International Children's Art Festival opened in the port city of north China Saturday.
State leader Li Ruihuan's calligraphy "peace, friendship, the future" was on show at the opening ceremony.
The six-day festival expects to attract more than 1,000 international visitors from 17 foreign countries and 750 Chinese from 21 provinces and cities.
Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan in a letter offering his best wishes and congratulations, said the theme of the Festival is peace, friendship and the future. He wishes that the activities of the children will encourage young people to work for a future world of peace and friendship.