The festival will bring the finest parts of Chinese culture, including Chinese performing arts, pop and folk music, tea culture and more, to Sydney and Hobart.

High-ranking officials from both China and Australia were present at Sydney's State Theater for the opening ceremony of the Chinese Cultural Festival.

Vast crowds flocked for the ceremony's calligraphy show and tea culture exhibition. Another highlight of the night was the dance drama "Confucius" presented by the China National Opera & Dance Drama Theater on the great Chinese thinker.

The Chinese Cultural Festival also includes a concert featuring renowned singer Teresa Teng's signature melodies.

Pop concerts, traditional art exhibitions, celebrity golf tournaments and China-Australia business forums are the other features of the festival, which runs through December 12th.

Organizers are hopeful that the event will help spark more cultural and economic exchanges between the two countries.