A meeting to promote the preparation work of the 2011 Dehong Water-Splashing Festival, which falls on April 11-13, 2011, was held on Jan 13, 2011.

During the meeting, Meng Biguang, president of the organizing committee of the International Water-splashing Festival called on groups at all levels within the organizing committees to make concerted efforts to ensure the festival is a success.

Meng spoke highly of the work that groups within the organizing committee have done on previous occasions, saying that their work had been highly effective, and had ensured a good beginning for the water-splashing festival activities.

Meng stressed that the annually held water-splashing festival is a traditional festival for people within the prefecture of all ethnic groups. The 2011 festival, serving as a great opportunity to showcase Dehong and expand its influence, is of vital importance to both people and organizations within the prefecture.

Meng also raised three requests: for all government departments to be fully aware of the significance of the festival; to make the festival economically viable; and to speed up the preparation process.

Vice-governor Banyan also urged all working groups of the organizing committee to fully play their role as hosts, and so live up to the expectations of leaders and visitors.

Polished by Natalie Thomas