Dubai Hosts Hong Kong Dragon Boat Challenge 2025, Celebrating Culture and Strengthening Community Ties

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO) sponsored the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Challenge 2025, which took place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on February 8 and 9 (Dubai time), to promote Hong Kong’s unique culture and heritage.

Held at the Dubai Creek, this year's races attracted more than 40 teams per day with a total of about 1 400 competitors during the two-day event. Among them was a team formed by the Dubai ETO, consisting of members of the Hong Kong community living in the UAE.

Other than competitive races in various categories, the Dubai ETO also set up a promotional booth at the venue over the weekend to promote Hong Kong and provide information on her latest developments.

Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, the Acting Director-General of the Dubai ETO, Mr Leo Poon, highlighted that the Dubai ETO has brought the dragon boat racing to Dubai for the third year not just to share the fun of dragon boat racing with the local community, but also to strengthen cultural ties and social connections between the two communities of Hong Kong and Dubai.

“Hong Kong is not just an international trade hub and financial centre, we are also a dynamic city where East meets West, and home to a multitude of mega events. With the state-of-the-art Kai Tak Sports Park set for grand opening next month, Hong Kong will be hosting more international sports and cultural events, showcasing our city’s remarkable charm,” he added.

The Dubai ETO will continue to organise various events in the member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf with the aim of deepening exchanges and promoting closer co-operation.

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Dragon boat challenge stages in Dubai to promote Hong Kong culture and heritage Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Operational event at Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station

​The Nuclear Emergency Committee Office of the Guangdong Province notified the Security Bureau today (March 18) of an operational event at Ling Ao Nuclear Power Station (LNPS), a Security Bureau spokesperson said today.

Through a feedback review at LNPS, it was discovered that on November 27, 2024, during the replacement of the demineralizer in Unit 1's chemical and volume control system, the outlet isolation valve of the demineralizer was not closed as required. This resulted in a drop in the volume of certain liquids within the system. Station staff immediately halted the relevant operation, and the volume of the liquids promptly resumed normal. Throughout the above event, Unit 1 remained in a safe and stable condition, with all relevant parameters within normal ranges.

As this event holds certain reference and learning value, LNPS classified it as a Level 0 deviation on March 17, with a view to raising awareness among station staff and helping them learn from the experience. This deviation did not affect the safety of the Unit, the health of the workers, the nearby public or the environment. LNPS has reported the relevant situation to the nuclear safety regulatory authority and will strengthen experience feedback to ensure the safe and stable operation of its units.

The Daya Bay Nuclear Power Operations and Management Co Ltd has released the details of this event on its website (www.dnmc.com.cn) (Chinese only), which can be viewed in the "operational events" section under the "nuclear and radiation safety information" page of the website.