SHENYANG - Activities to mark the International Day of Peace and a forum on northeast Asia's development will start on Wednesday, spokesman for the organizing committee Chen Duming said at a news conference Tuesday.

With the theme of "Let your voice be heard by the world - share peace and development," a series of events will be held in China's northeastern cities of Shenyang and Dalian from Wednesday to Saturday, including a forum on northeast Asia's development, an art exhibition of ode to peace, and the opening ceremony of a park of peace, Chen said.

The activities are sponsored by Chinese People's Association for Peace and Disarmament (CPAPD), the United Nations establishment in China, Liaoning provincial government, and five non-governmental organizations, Chen noted.

Yan Junqi, vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, met with some former political dignitaries of Japan, Mongolia and the Republic of Korea who came to attend this event.

"It reflects the common aspiration of Chinese people and people from other northeast Asian countries to seek peace, love peace and expect peace and development," Yan said in the meeting.

According to the organizing committee, around 250 people including former politicians, officials, entrepreneurs and experts from related countries will attend the celebrations.

The International Day of Peace was first established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 as an opportunity for people around the world to promote the resolution of conflict and to observe cessation of hostilities. In 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the day's permanent date.