More than 10,000 participants attended the World Kite Festival in Pasir Gudang, Johor.

For the first time in its 18th year, the festival introduced an inter-school kite competition among Asean countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Cambodia, Malaysia and China.

The aim of the festival is to promote harmony among participants from all over the world with different ethnic backgrounds, culture and language.

The launch was officiated by the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar.

Also present was Menteri Besar of Johor, Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman.

More than 236 participants from 36 different countries took part inthe kite-flying event, while the remaining 600 local particiapants were from different states, schools and corporate bodies.

Also taking place were cultural performances and flying of kites from international participants.