HARBIN, July 26 (Xinhua) -- The 20th World Saxophone Congress opened on Saturday in Harbin, the capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, in the first time the event has been hosted in China.

This year's event has attracted more than 190 saxophonists and saxophone enthusiasts from 33 countries and regions to China's "City of Music," which is renowned for its centuries of music history.

Arno Bornkamp, president of the International Saxophone Committee and a professor of saxophone at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, expressed his gratitude for Harbin's long-standing support for professional saxophone musicians and learners during his address to the event's opening ceremony.

Bornkamp said that China is home to a vast community of saxophone lovers, whose passion and dedication to the art are playing a significant role in advancing global music culture.

Yin Zhifa, president of the professional saxophone committee of the China Mass Music Association, said that about 800,000 people in China are currently learning the instrument -- ranging from primary school students to senior citizens.

This year's congress will feature saxophone recitals, academic seminars, masterclasses and premieres of new compositions, promoting the learning and appreciation of the art of the saxophone, Yin added.

Wang Bo, vice mayor of Harbin, said that the city is forging a bridge for global cultural exchange through international music events and its rich musical heritage. The event is expected to enrich the arts experience of local residents and international visitors, alongside other events held as part of the ongoing Harbin Summer Music Concert.

The globally influential World Saxophone Congress boasts a 56-year history, dating back to its inaugural edition in Chicago, the United States, where it gathered the world's leading saxophonists, educators and enthusiasts to advance the global reach of the art.