Flying Start to China Kite Championship

The China Kite Championship 2011 got off to a flying start on Saturday in Daishan County in East China's Zhejiang Province.

As various kites swept across the sky, a team from Shanghai stole the limelight with their “aerial ballet” performance.

The six team members moved together as their kites chased each other across the sky – diving and somersaulting like dancers. The tricky moves were performed in unison, much to the delight of the audience.

[Attendee]:
"The aerial ballet was very good. Their techniques are really good. It is as if the kites are alive. I am so surprised. It is amazing."

Although the aerial ballet looks magnificent, it is anything but easy. The six kites have to form shapes in the sky and perform movements in unison, so as well as perfecting their kite techniques, the team members need to work well with each other.

[Wang Jiahua, Shanghai Kite Team]:
"One person's mistake can mess up the whole team's performance, because sometimes our lines have to join together and separate. If one person does not follow the exact procedure, then our lines will tangle and everything will fall. We will have to start again. We have very high standards for everyone."

A total of 13 events will be held during the two-day championship.