The 24th China Shanghai International Arts Festival (CSIAF) kicked off on Friday evening.

As the opening performance of the festival, a special series of Kunqu Opera, jointly produced by the Shanghai Kunqu Opera Troupe and the Palace Museum, was grandly staged.

The festival will feature over 1,200 performances and events, encompassing music, dance, theater and exhibitions, with artistic troupes and institutions from more than 80 countries and regions set to participate.

The CSIAF, held across October and November each year, is one of China's most influential and prestigious international cultural exchange platforms. It is dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.

Overseas productions will account for about 60 percent of the festival's main program, which includes a total of 129 performances of 55 shows. In addition, 60 productions and over 90 events will be presented in various public spaces across Shanghai, featuring nearly 2,000 artists from more than 30 countries and regions.