China's oldest existing dragon boat awakens from river in Guangdong

The awakening ceremony for a 592-year-old dragon boat, the oldest in the country, was held on a river in Foshan City of south China's Guangdong Province on Saturday, marking the official start of the region's dragon boat season.

The event began with a congratulatory message read by local elder Shao Juxi, inheritor of the Yanbu Old Dragon customs, at the Yanbu Community in Foshan's Nanhai District. The boat, Yanbu Old Dragon, was then moved from the riverbed to the water's surface and cleaned after resting for a year.

The 36.8-meter-long boat, constructed from belian wood, dates back to 1432. The boat was buried in the muddy riverbed because wooden dragon boats are prone to rot when kept in regular environments. In Guangdong, after the Dragon Boat Festival races, some boats are buried in the muddy riverbed and left there until the next year's festival to ensure their long-term preservation.

The locals unearthed the boat, observed worship to Hua Guang (an immortal in local folklore), and then sailed the boat along the rivers.

The highlight of the season is on the fifth and sixth days of the fifth lunar month (when the Dragon Boat Festival is celebrated). The Yanbu Old Dragon will meet another old dragon boat named Renwei from Guangzhou City. Festivities will then continue for a whole month.

Locals consider dragon boats sacred and hold grand ceremonies when "lifting submerged dragon boats," a tradition passed down for centuries.

"I grew up with the old dragon (boat), and now I want to bring my son to experience this atmosphere and culture so it can be passed on to the next generation. We enjoyed it very much and felt very proud," said a local surnamed Lu.

The ceremony also attracted many tourists in the country.

"I come here to experience the vibe. It is so lively and joyful. Such grand awakening ceremony of a dragon boat is rarely seen in other places," said a tourist from Sichuan Province in southwest China.

The inheritor of the customs, also a type of intangible cultural heritage in China, said the dragon boat is a symbol of spirit of teamwork and unity.

"The dragon boat spirit embodies hard work and unity. We promote this spirit to people of Guangzhou and Foshan through the worship of Hua Guang, fostering mutual visits and comity, because we Chinese are descendants of the dragon," Shao said. During the dragon boat season, local vendors also introduce innovative cultural tourism experiences, integrating intangible cultural heritage with immersive activities, educational tours, and some creative products such as themed dolls, ornaments and shirts.

China's oldest existing dragon boat awakens from river in Guangdong

On his second official visit to China, Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu Charlot Salwai expressed admiration for China's remarkable ability to balance preserving its cultural heritage with embracing innovative transformation.

Salwai paid an official visit to China from July 7 to 12. During his trip, he toured the southern province of Guangdong and explored the megacities of Beijing and Shanghai. His visit included tours of high-tech companies, a ride on a high-speed train, and a performance of traditional Cantonese opera.

In an interview with China Central Television Network (CCTV) aired on Friday, Salwai recounted his journey starting with a warm welcome that included enjoying Beijing Roast Duck, also known as Peking Duck -- a culinary delight introduced to him by the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu.

"Many had to say. Peking Duck. Because we had it here on our arrival, so it was very tasty. And I understand that the Chinese ambassador in Vanuatu brought us to one of the traditional restaurants, small but beautiful," he said. The prime minister sees China's preservation of its culture as a vital lesson in understanding one's roots and the journey to the present day, acknowledging China's efforts to integrate cultural preservation with modernization.

"It's going to be my second official visit to China. I'm always impressed to see big changes and especially innovations made by China and especially the cities. Because a big impression is to see how China continues to maintain and keep its culture. Because I think it's the basis of everything -- to know where you come from and to understand where we are today. I feel that China is doing a lot to maintain its culture, but at the same time, doing, innovating to transform its culture,” Salwai said.

He also emphasized the importance of learning from China's sustainable development strategies.

"Today, it comes from a long way, some hardship, the government, and also the people of China. So, I'm impressed to see what is done, especially how China associates infrastructure development with nature. That's meant to keep, continue to keep the environment. It takes effort with the climate change by maintaining the ecosystem. I think it's something that, for a small country like Vanuatu, is important to learn. So, we are here. I'm here with my delegation to learn," Salwai said.

Vanuatu's PM commends China's cultural preservation, innovation amid fast growth