Zhuhai is ready for the upcoming China International Circus Festival and so are all the circus and acrobat troupes as well as judges from China and abroad, said an official at a press conference in the host city on Tuesday.

The gala is set to make its debut tonight and to last through Dec 1.

More than 140 performers from China and 16 other countries and overseas regions have arrived in the city with their animals, gadgets and gimmicks.

They have rehearsed their performances over the past few days to get accustomed to the facilities and environment at the brand-new international circus town in the massive Chimelong International Ocean Resort, said Chen Ying, head of the city's publicity department and also secretary general of the executive committee of the circus festival.

And all 10 members of the judging committee from China, France, Russia, Canada, the United States, Italy and Spain have also prepared for their work.

"We've got everything ready for the international event. We hope the festival will present fascinating programs to audiences and turn Zhuhai into a merry land," he said.

The official said troupes from 17 countries and regions worldwide will present 30 programs during the festival.

The Asian troupes are from China and Thailand and Africa is represented by Ethiopia. Canada and the United States in North America have sent delegations and troupes from Latin America's Argentina, Cuba and Ecuador will also showcase their marvels.

Europe is represented by contingents from Germany, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

The selected programs have been handpicked from more than 200 candidates in over 40 countries and regions.

According to the circus festival website, the Chinese troupes will show off a diabolo called "Gorgeous Girls" along with a performance taming 13 white tigers, and a hoop-jumping program called "Saint Fight".

The diabolo show - a form of juggling - combines high-level acrobatics with female roles taken from Peking Opera.

The performance has won several awards including the Gold Clown Prize at the 37th Monte Carlo International Circus Festival early this year and the President Award at the 26th International Circus Festival of Tomorrow in France in 2005.

The hoop-jumping show, which also won several awards including the Gold Clown Prize at Monte-Carlo, combines warrior dance choreography with motorized-twist hoop jumping.

Several of the foreign programs on show have also won international awards, according to the website.

They include the Abyssinia Voltige Act by the Ethiopian troupe, a silk act by Elisabeth Schmidt and a clown "Housh-ma-Housh" performance by Semen Schuster from the German contingent, a program by Italian ventriloquist Willer Nicolodi, "nightmare magic" by the Dutch troupe, Canada's "flag man" and "solo trapeze".