Dragon boat races boost international exchanges

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Dragon boat racing, a traditional Chinese sport originally held to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival, has gained global popularity and is helping to promote exchanges between countries.

The annual dragon boat race held in Nanning, capital city of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in south China, has attracted more international participants, especially from across Asia, in recent years.

The 15th China-Asian International Dragon Boat Race is held in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 7, 2019. /VCG Photo

With the Yongjiang River running through the city, Nanning boasts a long history of holding dragon boat races.

"It is from 2004, when the city became the permanent venue of the China-ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) expo, that the government initiated the first China-Asian International Dragon Boat Race in Nanning to deepen the exchanges of people with ASEAN countries," said Tang Hong, director of the Nanning Sports Management and Training Center, which now organizes the annual event.

Last year, the 14th China-Asian International Dragon Boat Race attracted 56 teams from home and abroad. This included five ASEAN members such as Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.

The 14th China-Asian International Dragon Boat Race in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 16, 2018. /VCG Photo

The races became more appealing last year when participants competed on the Yongjiang River, which had been polluted for a long time due to public activities and industrial development.

The local government started to tackle rubbish and illegal plantations in the area from 2012 to 2014. A 74-kilometer sightseeing belt along the riverbank was also completed last year.

"After the Yongjiang River got a major facelift, we chose the Confucian Temple as our headquarters as an opening ceremony could be held there before the race to offer sacrifices to the river and pay tribute to the tradition," said Tang.

Participants compete on the Yongjiang River in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 7, 2019. /VCG Photo

Besides a wonderful view, the route also passes by Qingxiu Mountain, a state "5A" grade scenic spot, which boasts a magnificent view.

"It's no doubt the racing is a factor to draw Asian participants, but another important part is that we share cultural proximity with them," said Tang.

Professor Nurdin Purnomo, president of the Indonesian Dragon Boat Racing and Canoeing Association, has brought Indonesian dragon boat sprinters to Nanning since 2015. He said people hold dragon boat races in his country, especially among Indonesian Chinese communities.

According to Purnomo, whose ancestral home is Meizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, most of the people in his team are Indonesian Chinese.

"I would like to give them a chance to see how China has developed and changed," he said.

This year the event fell on June 7 and 60 teams from home and abroad participated.

(Cover: The 15th China-Asian International Dragon Boat Race is held in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 7, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): China Daily