ABU DHABI, April 21 (Xinhua) -- China's Xi'an and Shenzhen will host two legs of the 2007 Formula One (F1) Powerboat World Championships, a senior official with the International Power Boating Association (UIM) said here on Saturday.

    The announcement was made by Nicolo di San Germanco, Chairman of the UIM's F1 committee, during a press conference held here on Saturday.

    According to San Germanco, the 2007 F1 Powerboat World Championships will kick off in Portimao, Portugal on May 13, and then tour in France, Greece, Singapore and Malaysia in the following months.

    China's Xi'an and Shenzhen will respectively host two legs of the championships on Oct. 5 and 21, San Germanco said.

    Afterwards the championship will wind up its last two legs in Abu Dhabi and Sharjah of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Dec.

    The success of the grand prix hosted by China's southwest Chengdu city in 2006 was "a fantastic experience," San Germanco told Xinhua, adding that he expects more international events of powerboat to be held in China.

    F1 Powerboat World Championships was inaugurated by the UIM in 1981 and features 10 to 15 races every year.