The Ninth Qingdao International Sailing Week and Qingdao International Marine Festival came to an end at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center on Aug 20.

The closing ceremony for the 2017 Qingdao International Sailing Week and Qingdao International Marine Festival is held on Aug 20 at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center. [Photo/ bandao.cn]

The festival started back in 2009 and has grown over time. It has been important in turning Qingdao into a crucial part of the New Eurasian Land Bridge and China's cooperative maritime strategy.

Starting on Aug 11, the event consisted of three routine sailing events and a new regatta for universities, which attracted teams from dozens of colleges from home and abroad, including Oxford University, Cambridge University, Imperial College London, the University of California at Berkeley, Moscow State University, the University of Melbourne, Peking University and Tsinghua University.

The traditional international sailing events are the "Mayor Cup" International Sailing Rally from Aug 11 to 15, the "Mazarin Cup" Qingdao International Sailing Competition from Aug 16 to 20, and the Qingdao International OP Sailing Camp & Sailing Competition from Aug 10 to 17.

Russia's 108-meter sailing ship, the famous Pallada, arrived at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center on the opening day to honor this year's festival.

One of the largest sailing vessels in the world, the Pallada arrives at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center in the eastern Chinese port of Qingdao, Shandong province on Aug 11 to mark Qingdao International Sailing Week. [Photo/ qingdaonews.com]

During their four-day stay in Qingdao, sailors of the Pallada conducted a series of exchange activities with the Qingdao International Optimist Training Camp. Local citizens were invited to go aboard the famous sailing vessel and experience the sailors' daily life.

"Pallada is on intimate terms with China and Qingdao, and this is our third time to attend the city's sailing festival," said its captain. "Our visit will further promote cultural and sports exchanges as well as cooperation between Qingdao and Russia."

The organizing committee holds a warm welcome ceremony for Russian guests attending the Qingdao International Sailing Week on Aug 11. [Photo/ qingdaonews.com]

Additionally, more than 30 related activities were held, including a sailing boat show, a night run, and a music festival, all highlighting internationalism, openness and participation to give Qingdao's sports industry, marine economy, culture, tourism, technology and environmental protection a boost.

Qingdao, venue of the sailing events of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, has staged the international sailing week every year since 2009. This year's events will start on Sunday night.

The Pallada, a large traditionally-rigged sailing vessel, is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the fastest sailing vessel in the world, with a speed exceeding 18 knots. It is a star sailing vessel in Russia, having won many international festivals and races.