China will host an international music gala featuring performances of wind instrument bands in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong Province in south China, from August 8 to 12.

The event has been authorized by the APBDA, a non-governmental organization for wind bands in the Asia and Pacific region. During the gala, the 12th annual meeting of APBDA will also be held, said sources from Guangzhou City Association for Overseas Cultural Exchanges, one of the organizers.

A total of 55 wind bands from countries including China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Singapore, Germany, Australia and Spain will participate in 24 concerts to be held in Guangzhou during the gala.

Guangzhou, a center for business and trade, has become a center for many cultural events as well. It now has 170 wind bands.

(Xinhua News Agency June 21, 2002)