The 2013 Cross-Straits Beach Culture Festival started in Pingtan, Fujian province, on June 16, with an opening ceremony featuring spectacular fireworks and a laser show.

Huang Chao-shun, a senior Kuomintang (KMT) legislator, and Lin Xiao, deputy director of the General Offices of the CPPCC National Committee, attended the opening ceremony.

The 100-day carnival is sponsored by the Pingtan administrative committee and co-organized by the Pingtan county government and the Pingtan media center. It includes four programs – sand sculpting, performances in the plaza, entertainment on the beach, and a Taiwan food fair.

The sand sculpture park opened to the public on May 27 and artists are creating sculptures on the beach.

This is the first year that the beach is part of the event's program.

More than 130 Taiwan entrepreneurs and chefs are working at the food court during the festival, and hope to offer visitors a taste of authentic Taiwan cuisine.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman