The 11th UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, featuring races and performances, kicked off at Salford Quays in Greater Manchester on Sunday, showcasing rich traditional Chinese culture and fostering people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, Consul General of China's Consulate-General in Manchester Tang Rui, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester and Mayor of Salford Paul Dennett, along with nearly 10,000 participants, including overseas Chinese, students, representatives from Chinese enterprises, and local residents, attended the event.
A total of 49 teams participated in the dragon boat race, including the renowned Cambridge University team.
Originating in China thousands of years ago, the dragon boat race is one of many traditions celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival, which commemorates the Chinese patriotic poet Qu Yuan (about 340-278 BC) on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month of the Chinese calendar.
The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, falls on May 31 this year.
"This is the annual Chinese dragon boat race and I think this is the 11th time this has happened in our city of Salford and this dragon boat race is the largest in Europe celebrating Chinese tradition, culture, and heritage," Dennett said.
"Well, I just thought it was about bringing people together and supporting Chinese culture but also bringing people together and recognizing the influences for Chinese people in Manchester," said a participant of the dragon boat race.
In addition to the dragon boat race, the organizers arranged a vibrant array of performances highlighting traditional Chinese culture, including martial arts, dragon and lion dances, and Qin Opera.
UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival kicks off in Manchester with vibrant races, performances
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
