The picture taken on July 25, 2004 shows the opening ceremony of the 89th Universal Esperanto Congress in Beijing. The 89th Universal Esperanto Congress convened here Sunday. The week-long conference includes seminars, exhibitions, and a Chinese cultural week. It attracted over 2,000 academicians and Esperantists from over 50 countries and regions. (Xinhua Photo)

    BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhuanet) -- The 89th Universal Esperanto Congress convened here Sunday.

    The week-long conference includes seminars, exhibitions, and a Chinese cultural week. It attracted over 2,000 academicians and Esperantists from over 50 countries and regions.

    Wu Bangguo, chairman of Chinese National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, sent a congratulation letter to the opening ceremony. Xu Jialu, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, attended the ceremony and met representatives from the Universal Esperanto Association.

    Beijing hosted the 71st conference in 1986. Enditem