Shanghai, China, May 1, 2009 - With FIVB President Jizhong Wei in attendance here Friday morning at the opening ceremonies for this week's US$380,000 China Shanghai Jinshan Open, the men's Main Draw competition started with five seed-break throughs posted in the first round of the winner's bracket by five teams from four European countries.

The second of 13 double gender events on the 2009 SWATCH FIVB World Tour calendar, the women's Main Draw started Thursday and concludes Saturday with the semifinals and medal matches at the Beach Volley Venue in the Jinshan District of Shanghai. The men's final four will be played Sunday as the gold medal teams this week share the $30,000 first-place prizes.

President Wei, who became the third FIVB President last August, welcomed the capacity crowd of more than 4,000 to the sixth annual China Shanghai Jinshan Open. "An excellent Beach Volleyball tradition has been established in the Jinshan District with the world's best players participating here for the past six years," said President Wei. "This event will look forward to the future as it will be held here next year as Shanghai hosts Expo 2010."

Expo 2010 will be held over a six-month period starting next May under the slogan "Better City - Better Life" and featuring Shanghai's new status in the 21st century as a major economic and cultural center. President Wei said the "large number of visitors for the Expo 2010 will have an impact on next year's China Shanghai Jinshan Open. The world will again be returning to China and this Beach Volleyball event will benefit."