UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of diplomats and staff members of the United Nations gathered here Monday night for a taste of famed Chinese dishes at the opening ceremony of a five-day event showcasing Chinese culinary culture.

　　Prominent chefs brought traditional Chinese flavors, including the country's famed fried glutinous rice cakes and steamed dumplings.

　　"The five-day festival will blend traditional Chinese flavors, with regional cuisine from Ningxia, as well as with innovative touches, highlighting a healthy variety for the nutrition-conscious diners," said Cao Kailong, director of administration of Development of Grape Industry of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.

　　The opening ceremony also featured international award-winning wines from the Helan Mountain East Region, Ningxia, northwest China.

　　The Helan Mountain East Region, over a few decades, has built wineries from often reclaimed desert-like expanses and transformed them into China's most promising wine region.

　　The region boasts the largest contiguous vineyard acreage in China, producing over 120 million bottles of quality wine annually, which have garnered more than 400 international awards.