The 43rd Weifang International Kite Festival and the 2026 Weifang Kite Carnival kicked off at the World Kite Park in Weifang, East China's Shandong province, on April 18.

About 260 kite teams from 57 countries and regions gathered to celebrate kite culture.

Weifang, known as the "World Capital of Kites", has a kite-making history of more than 2,000 years, with highly refined craftsmanship. The city's kite industry currently generates over 2 billion yuan ($29.24 million) in annual sales, with exports to more than 50 countries and regions.