As the Duanwu Festival approaches, communities across China come alive with dragon boat races and traditional delicacies, celebrating a cherished cultural tradition.
In Huangmei County of central China's Hubei Province, dragon boat racers embraced the local tradition of standup paddling, showcasing a breathtaking mix of speed, strength, and teamwork.
"We participate in this exhibition race every year to show the team spirit of striving for excellence," said Nie Hehe, a dragon boat team leader.
In Xiapu County, Fujian Province, dragon boat racers, primarily local fishermen, circled Beishuang Island in a ceremonial prayer for smooth sailings, followed by an exhilarating five-kilometer sea race.
"There is no winner or loser in the race. It's an event to wish our fishermen good luck and good harvest on every fishing trip," said Jiang Kun, a dragon boat racer.
"Although it is a dragon boat race, we row the boats for health and blessings for all," said Zhang Youzhe, another racer.
The Dragon Boat Festival traditionally falls on the fifth day of the fifth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. It falls on this Saturday this year.
During the festival, people enjoy activities such as dragon boat races and eating Zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) to commemorate the patriotic poet Qu Yuan, who was also a minister of the State of Chu during the Warring States Period (475 BC-221 BC).
In Mengzi City of southwest China's Yunnan Province, people wrap glutinous rice into long reed leaves to make rod-like dumplings resembling the shapes of horse legs.
In Luoyang City of central China's Henan Province, people make dumplings for the festival with large, dark green leaves of daimyo oak trees.
"Our Zongzi is also called 'fu bao' in homophony, which symbolizes love and happiness, extending good wishes for everyone during the Dragon Boat Festival," said Zeng Guoyan, a resident in Luoyang.
People across China celebrate Duanwu Festival with dragon boat races, delicacies
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, said on Monday that the relationship between China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) stands at a new historical starting point.
Xi arrived in the DPRK capital of Pyongyang earlier on Monday to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Kim Jong Un, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, marking his first trip to the country in seven years.
Delivering a speech at a welcome banquet hosted by Kim, Xi pointed out that China and the DPRK, linked by mountains and rivers and sharing a common future, have seen their traditional friendship passed down across generations and grow ever stronger over time through the test of the evolving international landscape.
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the China-DPRK Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Mutual Assistance, and the China-DPRK relationship stands at a new historical starting point, Xi said, noting that he has reached important consensus with Kim during his visit.
From the strategic perspective of the future and destiny of socialism, both leaders have agreed to seize the general trend of the times, respond to the shared aspirations of the two peoples, strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society, Xi said.
The successful convening of the Ninth Congress of the WPK this year has made strategic plans and major arrangements for the long-term development of the Party and the country's cause, ushering in a new period of comprehensive development of the DPRK's socialist cause, Xi said.
As good neighbors, good friends and good comrades, the Chinese side sincerely wishes that, under the strong leadership of the Central Committee of the WPK headed by General Secretary Kim, the DPRK people will successfully accomplish the goals and tasks set by the Ninth Congress of the WPK and make constant new achievements in the socialist cause of the DPRK, Xi said.
On behalf of the WPK, the government and the people of the DPRK, Kim extended the warmest welcome to Xi on his visit. Kim said that Pyongyang was filled with an atmosphere of friendship on this special day as the DPRK's Party, government and people warmly welcomed their most distinguished guest.
Noting that Xi's first overseas trip of the year had brought him to the DPRK, Kim said this fully demonstrated the great importance Xi attached to developing relations between the two parties and the two countries, and constituted the most valuable support for the DPRK's socialist cause.
Noting the meeting with Xi came nine months after their previous meeting, Kim said that during this meeting, they reached important consensus on further advancing DPRK-China relations with new contemporary connotations in light of new changing circumstances, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, which will surely accelerate the development of the DPRK-China friendship with profound historical traditions, and contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world.
The DPRK people take heartfelt joy in the remarkable achievements made by the brotherly Chinese people, Kim said, expressing belief that under the leadership of the CPC with Xi at its core, the great Chinese people will surely create greater achievements in building a great modern socialist country in all respects, realizing the Second Centenary Goal, and completing the new journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Xi says China-DPRK ties stand at new historical starting point
