The Lianzhu kite team from Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, won the group gold medal in the 2012 China Xinjin Kite Festival and second International Stunt Kite Invitational Tournament held from Oct 1 to 4 in Chengdu, Sichuan province. Twenty-two teams from international and domestic countries and regions including Germany, New Zealand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Malaysia attended the tournament.

The giant parafoil kites by Wang Xinlong from the Taiyuan team impressed the fierce competition. His kites were made in different innovative designs, including an ancient coin, blue and white porcelain and a strange air circle. A kite in the pattern of “two dragons playing with a pearl” by Kang Chengyan and Xiang Baowen, both from the Taiyuan team, showed their superb craftsmanship.

Xiang Lanzhu, a kite appreciation expert, was invited to host the tournament. His shrewd tongue and professional comments received unanimous praise from the audience and tournament committee. He was awarded the Golden Microphone Prize.