A youth performer is busy preparing for her performance at the "Little Plum" opera competition in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province on July 25. [Photo/zjgonline.com.cn]

A successful national youth opera competition is being held in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu province, from July 25 to 28.

Named "Little Plum", the event pays tribute to the Plum Performance Award, China's highest ranking for opera performers.

A pioneering chapter took place in the neighboring city of Shengzhou, Zhejiang province, from July 14 to 17, attracting 119 performers from 27 provinces (except Jiangsu) to compete for individual titles.

The Zhangjiagang part, which is supported by the China Theater Association and the local municipal government, has attracted the participation of 31 groups and individual performers.