The 18th China Pingyao International Photography (PIP) Festival will be held on Sep 19, according to a press briefing held on July 16.

This year's event has a theme of innovation and sharing, with around 1,800 photographers and artists from around the world expected to attend.

The exhibition will also focus on the changes that have taken place in China, as well as focusing on the traditions that the country has retained, said Wu Xiaohua, secretary of the county Party committee in Pingyao.

This year, Pingyao plans to work with international photography agencies to improve the quality of its exhibition, as well as some world-renowned photographers who are due to attend the festival, said Zhang Guotian, art director of PIP.

The exhibition is expected to celebrate the work of the entire art industry this year, as well as the work of individual artists, according to Wu.

China Pingyao International Photography Festival was initiated in 2001, and is being hosted for the 17th consecutive year. The event is one of the most important celebrations of photographers' work worldwide.

The press briefing for the 18th PIP is held in Pingyao, July 16, 2018. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Wu Xiaohua, secretary of the county Party committee in Pingyao and director of the organizing committee for PIP, speaks at the press briefing, July 16, 2018. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]