The Shenzhen Municipal Government is planning to stage a grand party Feb. 22 in the China Folk Culture Villages theme park to give expatriates a chance to celebrate the Lantern Festival with local families.

By the end of January, more than 500 people had signed up for the party, organizers said at a press conference Thursday. The conclusion of the Spring Festival celebrations, this year's Lantern Festival falls Feb. 23.

Participants will include 28 matches of Chinese and foreign families, involving 72 city residents and 86 expatriates who took part in last year's Chinese Lunar New Year home-stay program.

More than 260 foreign experts from various fields will be invited to the party.

As a highlight of this year's event, 88 returned overseas Chinese entrepreneurs and students will also be invited.

Foreign participants are from 25 countries and regions, including the United States, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and South Korea.

"The gala party is a continuation of last year's Chinese Lunar New Year home-stay program, but this year's party will be more colorful, interesting and lively with a series of well-designed, interactive activities, programs and performances by Chinese and expatriates," said Yang Haobo, an official with the city's foreign affairs office.

During last year's home-stay program, the city government brought together 42 local families and 140 foreign families from 18 countries to celebrate the traditional Chinese festival.

Although the three-day home-stay program finished officially Jan. 23 last year, the friendship between Chinese and foreign participants continues.

"When the home-stay program was over last year, many participants, including city residents and expatriates, asked us to hold a similar program this year," Yang said.

The party for the Lantern Festival is an important event for the second phase of the Project Care campaign.

Editor: Catherine