Water sports like paddle boarding and sailing have become increasingly popular across China as people are looking for ways to have fun and stay cool in hot summer days.
From Friday to Sunday, the 7th Nanxun Ancient Town Paddle Board Open was held in east China's Zhejiang Province, attracting more than 400 contestants from more than 10 countries and regions.
During the competition, the participants navigated a variety of watercraft, including paddle boards, folding boats, packrafts, and water bikes.
According to the Sport Bureau of Zhejiang Province, nearly 20 water sports events are held every week across the province this summer, and more than 200 water sports activities will be held throughout the season.
"Zhejiang has a well-developed water sports industry. Fuyang District and Chun'an County [of Hangzhou] account for more than 60 percent of the country's canoeing and rowing market," said Jiang Jiancheng, director of the bureau’s Department of Policies and Regulations. In Yuxi City of southwest China's Yunnan Province, sailboats have made wave on the Fuxian Lake.
Fuxian Lake is an inland lake on the plateau, whose open waters provide ample space for water sports such as sailing, kayaking and diving. "The southwest wind prevail here all year round, with about 300 days of wind annually. It is very suitable for sailing. Sailing trips and experiences have become a very stable industry in Fuxian Lake," said Deng Xinqiang, manager of the Fuxian Lake sailing base.
In Chengdu City of southwest China's Sichuan Province, a water park has been bustling with tourists of all ages since the beginning of summer.
"I like the non-powered hydrofoil board and the diving platform here the most. They make me feel like flying on a sword," said Huang Yun, a tourist.
According to a report on outdoor sports released by the General Administration of Sport, China has over one million surfing and paddle boarding consumers, generating a market of more than one billion yuan (about 139.29 million U.S. dollars).
Water sports make big splash across China
A major port in northern Venezuela came under U.S. airstrikes in the early hours of January 3, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, destroyed critical medical supplies in a warehouse, and severely impacted centuries-old cultural heritage sites, according to local residents.
The La Guaira Port, a vital hub for imports that support daily life in the region, was heavily damaged during the attack.
Large quantities of medical supplies stored at the port were destroyed. A historic cultural building dating back for some 300 years was also badly damaged by the bombardment.
Residents living near the port recalled the terrifying scenes as explosions shook nearby neighborhoods.
Humberto Bolivar, who lives in a community separated from the port by only a main road, said the blast waves shattered his home's windows, while stray shrapnel struck the water tank on his roof. According to reports, three missiles were fired at the port that night.
Bolivar said that beyond material losses, he is most concerned about the psychological impact on his children, who remain too frightened to leave their home days after the attack.
"The United States invaded our country. The children were frightened. This is not good for them, because it leaves some children with psychological trauma. They do not want to go to school or leave the house, because they are afraid that something worse might happen. We truly do not want this to happen to our country," he said.
Apart from civilian facilities, local cultural heritage site was also affected.
The La Guaira state government building, a structure with nearly 300 years of history and once served as the site of Venezuela's first national customs office, was struck by the force of the explosions.
Windows of the building were shattered, and furniture scattered across the floor.
"As people of La Guaira, we feel deep pain. Our cultural heritage has been bombed. We are living in constant anxiety and suffering, and life can no longer be the same as it was before," said a local named Henry Cumares.
The U.S. side has claimed the airstrikes targeted warehouses allegedly used to store narcotics. However, locals refuted such accusation.
"According to what Donald Trump said, they bombed this place using the excuse that the warehouses here were used to store drugs at the port. But based on the video released by our governor, these warehouses that were burned contained medicine for kidney patients and foods. Many people depend on these supplies to survive. I think the bombing is extremely despicable," said a local resident named Alejandro Capriles.
US strike hits Venezuelan port, wrecking medical supplies, heritage building
