Shanghai has invited eight French composers to a competition to compose distinctive music for this largest metropolis of China.

They will use Chinese instruments and familiar Chinese melodies, including "The Jasmine Flower".

The organizing committee of the Shanghai Spring Music Festival on Wednesday launched the competition called "Presences China."

The French composers invited are touring the city, learning about Chinese music and selecting two or three traditional instruments for their compositions.

"Shanghai is a stunning city and I've had lots of inspirations during my trip," French composer Bernard Cavanna was quoted by the local Shanghai Daily as saying.

The compositions will be played in a concert during the Shanghai Music Festival next year. Local residents will choose the three most popular pieces, which will be performed during the Festival Presences in France in 2008.

Famous Chinese composer Chen Qigang, artistic director of the competition, said the competition would help promote Chinese music throughout the world.

"We've long forgotten the charm of traditional Chinese music and the match will also arouse Chinese passion for our own music," Chen was quoted as saying.

He said judges would not include experts because it's important to create music pleasing to ordinary Chinese.

More than 40 French composers applied for the competition, but only eight were chosen to visit.

(Xinhua News Agency May 11, 2006)