ULAN BATOR, June 13 (Xinhua) -- The first-ever Asian Championship of Folklore was officially opened here on Thursday, attracting more than 1700 local and overseas artists.

"Mongolia is organizing the first-ever Asian Championship of Folklore, with the aim to boost the country's tourism sector and promote Mongolian and Asian folk art internationally. We are planning to organize this festival every year," Mongolian Prime Minister Ukhnaa Khurelsukh said at the opening ceremony.

According to the organizers, all participants, including around 50 artists from China, are competing in five categories of folklore, such as folk songs and folk dances, and certified judges from the World Association of Folklore Festivals will make up the jury.

Several related activities, including an exhibition of traditional Asian handicrafts and an Asian food festival, are expected to be held as part of the event, which will last until Sunday.

The folklore championship is co-organized by the Mongolian Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports and Ministry of Environment and Tourism.