Preparations for the China International Circus Festival in Zhuhai are well underway as officials prepare to receive guests from around the world.

Co-organized by the Ministry of Culture and Guangdong provincial government, and jointly managed by the city government and Chimelong Group, the grand circus gala will open from Nov 20 to Dec 1.

The biennial event will be held in Zhuhai begining this year.

The 300 million yuan ($49.19 million) venue is ready for use and the mascot, logo and slogan of the festival have been selected. Volunteers are being trained and tickets are selling fast, according to local media.

 “Already in the home stretch, we must get all the preparatory work done to make sure that the festival will be a cultural gala with global influence -- showing China on par with international level,” said He Ningka, mayor of Zhuhai and director of the festival's executive committee, during a recent meeting on festival preparation.

The mayor underscored security and transportation, calling for related authorities to rehearse for the festival.

Other efforts include an urban facelift, catering and accommodation arrangements and promotional campaigns.

“We hope the circus will be known worldwide and people our happiness,” the official said.

“We also hope our city will leave a deeper impression on visitors from China and abroad.”

Zhuhai is in a favorable position, said Jiang Haiyan, deputy secretary-general of Guangdong province.

Zhuhai's Hengqing New Area, where the circus venue is located, lies just opposite Macao across a narrow river and only 34 nautical miles away from Hong Kong, so it is a vital link to the two special administrative regions, she said.

“The unique location will make it very easy to attract visitors from Hong Kong and Macao as well as foreign visitors,” she said at a recent press conference.

“And Chimelong's experience in circus management will turn the festival into a world-class circus and acrobatics competition,” she added.

Some 30 circus and acrobatics teams from 17 countries and regions will take part in the competition with clowns, aerial acrobatics, stage acrobatics, animal-acts and magic during the festival.

Leaders of China's acrobatics associations, senior executives of circus groups, champions of international circus competitions, and veterans of the circus industry will preside over the competition.