People across China celebrate Duanwu Festival with dragon boat races, delicacies

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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

Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong on Thursday urged the European Union (EU) to join hands with China in promoting the sound development of bilateral economic and trade ties.

Commenting on a possible trade agreement between the two sides following German delegations' recent visits to China at a press briefing in Beijing, He said China has always held an opening attitude toward trade ties with the EU.

"China and the EU are important economic and trade partners. Over the years, their cooperation has been built on a solid foundation, with strong growth momentum and deeply interwoven supply and industrial chains, forming a pattern of complementary strengths and mutual benefit. China has always maintained an open attitude toward bilateral trade arrangements with the EU and welcomes relevant proposals from European leaders," the spokesman said.

He underscored China's openness to deeper cooperation, but also cautioned that recent EU practices have posed challenges for Chinese enterprises.

"However, the EU has employed various trade tools including investigation to restrict Chinese enterprises over the recent years. We hope the EU will listen more to the voices of its member states and industries, abandon protectionist practices, and work with China in the same direction, replacing barriers with openness and cooperation, resolving frictions through dialogue and consultation, and jointly promoting the sound development of China-EU economic and trade relations," He said.

Chinese ministry of commerce urges EU to work with China for sound trade growth