Long queues of people wait to get into the China Pavilion on Saturday.[Photo/Xinhua]

Long queues of people waited for hours to try to get into the China Pavilion on Saturday, as the Beijing Week officially kicked off with a performance at the ongoing Expo Milano.

The ballet Marco Polo, co-produced by National Center for the Performing Arts (NCPA) and the Song and Dance Troupe of the PLA General Political Department, was performed for the first time outside China to mark the opening of Beijing Week. Meanwhile, visitors can see acrobats, Beijing Opera, and video play which showcase the rich cultural heritage of Beijing.

As the first Chinese city featured at the Italian world expo, Beijing authorities launched a series of interactive activities in the upcoming days. Li Wei, Secretary-General of Beijing municipal government, said that they want to use the event to highlight the city's cosmopolitan side.