The 2025 China International Women's Rowing Elite Race, also known as Rose Regatta 2025, unfolded along the scenic Jinhuigang River in Shanghai's Fengxian district from May 16 to 18, showcasing exceptional talent and tradition.
As the world's largest and most prestigious official women's rowing event, the competition is being hosted in the district for the second time in a row.
"I came from Jing'an District. I'm truly excited to be here—especially when I hear the cheers for the athletes, I can really feel the passion for sports," said a spectator.
This year, the race brought together 41 teams and 220 rowers from across the globe, competing in two main events: the 1,000-meter quadruple sculls and the 500-meter double sculls.
"The course is excellent—it's a straight 1-kilometer track that allows two boats to compete simultaneously. It reminds me of the atmosphere at the century-old rowing race between Oxford and Cambridge," said Zhang Huanzhong, former captain of the women's single sculls team on the Chinese national rowing team.
During the event, a variety of activities, including a water sports carnival, and a themed fair were held. The night-time economy, and local cuisine provided visitors with a vibrant mix of cultural and tourism offerings.
Shanghai hosts 2025 Women's Rowing Elite Race along Jinhuigang River
The Japanese society should do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression and adhere to the pacifist constitution, said Shiradori Hiroshi, a professor of the Hosei University, in an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Tokyo on April 30.
He said the government's recent move to discuss revising the three security documents deserve particular attention as the country's foreign and security policies have already witnessed major changes.
"People outside of the country hold that Japan's post-war image as a 'peace state' is now facing a major shift. Against the backdrop of tremendous changes in its foreign and security policies, the revision of the three security documents deserves particular attention. There lacks public debate in terms of the procedure, with policy changes decided unilaterally at Cabinet meetings. It is necessary to fully explain to the public as to whether such a practice is proper," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government held its first expert panel meeting to discuss revisions to the three security documents at the Prime Minister's Office on April 27, local media reported.
Japan's current National Security Strategy and two related documents, formulated in 2022, were designed to cover the next 10 years, but the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has decided to move up the timetable to accelerate the revision process.
Increasing defense spending is one of the key topics of the meeting, according to Kyodo News.
Hiroshi said this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, or Tokyo Trials, and the Japanese society must do soul-searching regarding its history of aggression in WWII, when it brought enormous catastrophes on Asian countries.
"Eighty years have passed since the opening of the Tokyo Trials. Japan inflicted enormous suffering on Asian countries during WWII, which should serve as an opportunity for the soul-searching. It is exact on the basis of countless sacrifices that Japan's post-war pacifism and its identity as a 'peace state' took shape. On this 80th anniversary, it is necessary for Japan to re-examine and do soul-searching regarding its history," said Hiroshi.
The Japanese government's effort to revise the pacifist constitution is widely opposed by the public.
On Sunday, around 50,000 people gathered at Tokyo Rinkai Disaster Prevention Park, chanting slogans and holding banners against the government's push for constitutional revision and military expansion, the largest turnout of its kind in recent years.
Japan should adhere to pacifist constitution: scholar
