Gyeonggi Province and the city of Hwaseong opened the Korea Match Cup World Yacht Championship and the Korea International Boat Show 2008 at Jeongok Port in Hwaseong Wednesday.

Prime Minister Han Seung-soo, Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Moon-soo were among three-thousand guests and players on hand at the opening ceremony. The event will last for five days.

The yacht racing qualifiers began at 2:00 p.m., with 12 teams from nine countries particpating.

At the venue of the Korea International Boat Show, around 200 yachts and boats and other water sports products are on display for visitors.

Australia's Queensland state government held a public relations session on the maritime industry. The Gyeonggi provincial government also held an investor relations session and a trade fair for 217 companies from 35 countries.