The just concluded Europalia China Art Festival has attracted over 1 million visitors, according to early figures released by the organizers on Friday.

Opened on Oct. 8 last year, the festival presented to viewers more than 50 exhibitions and over 450 performances, seminars as well as other cultural related activities, which panoramically displayed China's traditional culture and modern arts.

General manager of the Europalia International, Kristine De Mulder, estimated the tickets sales are as high as 7 million euros (US$9.5 million).

According to preliminary statistics, the total number of visitors to the festival hit a new record, surpassing the previous one of 620,000.

Former Belgian ambassador to China, Clair Kirschen, also the general commissioner of the festival, said it was quite a success.

She also mentioned that Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping attended the festival's opening ceremony during his visit to Belgium. He is the most senior Chinese leader to visit the country over the past 30 years.

Kirschen also said Belgium's image in China has been improved due to its high media exposure during the festival.

Founded in 1969 and held every two years, the Europalia Art festival is one of the largest of its kind in Europe. One particular country is featured at the festival.

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2010)