The Eighth International Youth Dance Festival was unveiled here Thursday night with the participation of dozens of dance teams from 16 countries and regions.

The teams were from China's inland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Portugal, Brunei, Canada, India, Israel, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, the Philippines, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey and Yugoslavia.

The teams presented their unique and elegant performances, which won thunderous applause from Macao residents and tourists who were able to watch the show free of charge.

In the following days up to July 24, the teams will join 17 local teams chosen from the schools and social groups to give a series of indoor and street shows.

Similar dance festivals have been held every two years, which act as a gala to enhance the friendship among young people from different countries and regions, bring more joy to local people and help raise Macao's image in the world, said authorities from the Macao Education and Youth Development Association, the organizer of the festival.

This year's youth dance festival will cost the government 2.4 million patacas (about U.S.$ 300,000).

(Xinhua 07/19/2001)