The Chinese government formally launched preparations for the FISM 2009 World Championship of Magic, with the establishment of an organizing committee in Beijing Wednesday.

Culture Minister Sun Jiazheng, Vice Chairman of China Federation of Literary and Arts Circles (CFLAC) Hu Zhenmin and Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan were elected to the head organizing committee.

Websites in Chinese, English, French and Spanish have been set up and pamphlets printed, according to the organizing committee.

The event, to be held from July 26 to July 31 in 2009 in Beijing, is the first International Federation of Magic Society (FISM) championship in a developing country since its founding 58 years ago.

The magic arts committee of China Acrobats Association joined FISM in 2000 and bid to hold the 2009 championship in 2005. After fierce competition with Granada and Vienna, Beijing won in August last year.

The magic arts committee and CFLAC will jointly hold a national magic contest to select artists to participate in the 2009 championship.

Source:Xinhua