A news conference on the 2018 Ningbo-Nice International Carnival takes place in Beijing on May 2. [Photo/Ningbo Fabu WeChat]

The 2018 Ningbo-Nice International Carnival is scheduled to take place in Jiangbei district, Ningbo, Zhejiang province, from Sept 29 to Oct 3, according to an official news conference on May 2. 

The Nice Carnival is one of the world's most well-known carnivals, taking place in Nice every February. Its arrival in China is a result of joint efforts between Ningbo and the French city.

With a "King of the Universe" theme, the Ningbo-Nice International Carnival will be a cultural feast featuring a combination of giant floats, themed parades, dancing and music. Performances featuring Ningbo cultural elements will be staged as well, such as the wedding custom "Ten-Mile Red Dowry".

"Ningbo, a beautiful coastal city in Zhejiang province, shares many similarities with the city on the French Riviera," said Rudy Salles, deputy mayor of Nice, explaining that the two cities have been connected by the Maritime Silk Road since ancient times and that the Ningbo-Nice International Carnival plays an important role in further strengthening their connection.

Xu Yanan, deputy mayor of Ningbo, said that though Ningbo has witnessed great progress in its tourism industry in recent years, it still lacks global influence. He hopes the carnival can help put Ningbo on the world stage.

In late February, a delegation of the organizing committee of the 2018 Ningbo-Nice Carnival went to France to promote Ningbo's tourist resources and get a clear picture of the carnival's overall structure. 

The Ningbo-Nice International Carnival has been listed as an official event of China-EU Tourism Year 2018. In addition, March 3 has been selected as the carnival's "Ningbo Day" by the mayor's office in Nice.

Ningbo's wedding custom "Ten-Mile Red Dowry" joins the parade at this year's Nice Carnival on March 3 in Nice, France. [Photo by Pan Xuguang]