The Associated Press

The Rolling Stones and Jose Carreras will headline a four-week government-sponsored music festival designed to attract tourists to SARS-battered Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Harbor Fest will take place along Hong Kong's waterfront Oct. 15-Nov. 9, organizers said. More than 200,000 tickets for 18 shows will be available.

Carreras will perform on Oct. 20. The Stones will play Nov. 7 and 9, with top tickets priced at $256.

"We thought we could all help Hong Kong recover by bringing some exciting, world-class entertainment here," said James Thompson, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce.

Carlos Santana, British R&B singer Craig David, Irish boy band Westlife, Taiwan pop sensation Jay Chou and F4 also will participate.

Thompson said he hoped the festival would attract tourists from North America, Europe and Japan and, in turn, create jobs. Hong Kong's unemployment is at a record 8.7 percent.

An outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) between March and May killed 299 people in Hong Kong and sickened 1,755, prompted travel warnings and devastated businesses.