Onlookers watch floats during the parade. [Photo by Xu Yiyi/chinadaily.com.cn]

Ningbo Nice International Carnival got underway on Sept 28 in Ningbo's Jiangbei district, presenting a French-style visual and audio feast for local residents and visitors.

As an international cultural and tourism integrated event, the 2018 Ningbo Nice International Carnival has gained support from the European Union Tourism Commission. 

The carnival fully replicates the style of the Nice Carnival, one of the largest and oldest carnivals in the world that is held in the southern French city every February. 

Giant figures, mascots, and flowers acting as floats in parades, along with the China-France Food Festival and a city light show are being staged over the course of the next five days. The festival runs until October 3. 

"We gathered 30 talented dancers from France to participate in this year's Ningbo Nice International Carnival. People in Ningbo are very nice and hospitable," said the manager of BAT Dance Angel, a performing group from France who came to China for the first time.

A highlight of the opening ceremony was the parade with a large-scale float named King of Space, which has a height of 22 meters. 

"The relationship of Nice and China has opened a new page at tonight's opening ceremony of the carnival. Ningbo is a city of unique charm and I'm deeply impressed by its beauty," said Rudy Salles, deputy Major of Nice.