New York ETO Hosts 2026 Dragon Boat Festival in Boston, Celebrating Culture and Community Spirit with 1,700 Paddlers

New York ETO kicks off 2026 dragon boat festival in Boston

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) proudly supported the 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on June 14 (Boston time), marking the official start of the 2026 dragon boat festival season. More than 1 700 paddlers from 72 teams competed on the Charles River, celebrating one of Hong Kong's most cherished cultural traditions while fostering friendship and community spirit.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted the festival as a celebration of teamwork, perseverance and community - core values that resonate deeply with both Hong Kong and Boston. "Few events capture the spirit of teamwork, perseverance, community and striving for the best quite like dragon boat racing," she said. "Events like today's festival are a wonderful reminder of the enduring ties between Hong Kong and the United States."

Ms Ho noted that in 2027, the New York ETO will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, which also marks three decades of fostering constructive dialogue and strengthening economic, trade and cultural ties between Hong Kong and the United States.

In addition, she highlighted the close links between Hong Kong and Boston, noting that several Boston-based companies have established Asian regional hubs in Hong Kong, and that Boston Consulting Group recently recognised Hong Kong as the world's largest cross-border wealth management centre. She encouraged participants to explore Hong Kong's growing innovation and technology ecosystem.

Beyond the exciting races on the Charles River, the festival grounds buzzed with cultural performances, craft demonstrations and Asian culinary offerings. The New York ETO's promotional booth attracted significant interest from participants and spectators alike, with the festival welcoming more than 40 000 visitors throughout the day.

Boston marked the first stop of the New York ETO's annual dragon boat festival season. The New York ETO will next support Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festivals in New York and Atlanta later this summer.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a special appreciation dinner for past and present board members of the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on June 13 (Boston time). Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (centre), and the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Mr Chen Li (left), presenting a commemorative gift to the former President of the Board of Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Ms Gail Wang (right), for her contributions to the annual festival event. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) hosted a special appreciation dinner for past and present board members of the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on June 13 (Boston time). Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, (front row, third right) with the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Mr Chen Li (front row, fourth right), and past and present board members. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 14 (Boston time), bringing together more than 1 700 paddlers from 72 teams and attracting more than 40 000 spectators. The promotional booth of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York attracted significant interest from the participants. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 14 (Boston time), bringing together more than 1 700 paddlers from 72 teams and attracting more than 40 000 spectators. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York has donated a new dragon boat to the 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 14 (Boston time), bringing together more than 1 700 paddlers from 72 teams. Photo shows the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO), Ms Maisie Ho (front row, centre), with the dragon boat team of the New York ETO, the HKETONY Dragon Riders. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 14 (Boston time), bringing together more than 1 700 paddlers from 72 teams. Photo shows the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO), Ms Maisie Ho (front row, first left) presenting the gold medal in the Community Race to the dragon boat team of the New York ETO, the HKETONY Dragon Riders. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 14 (Boston time), bringing together more than 1 700 paddlers from 72 teams. Photo shows the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, Ms Maisie Ho (first left), with the Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Mr Chen Li (second right) and his spouse (second left), and Massachusetts State Senate President Mr William N Brownsberger (first right). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The 47th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 14 (Boston time), bringing together more than 1 700 paddlers from 72 teams. Photo shows the Director of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, Ms Maisie Ho (right), with the President of the Board of the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, Mr Jeffrey Wang (left), dotting the eyes of the Hong Kong dragon boat. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hongkong Post unveils new stamp issues for July to December 2026

Hongkong Post announced today (June 18) that five sets of special stamps on various themes will be issued from July to December 2026. Each stamp issue has its own ingenious design and distinctive style, making the stamps valuable collectables for philatelists and the public.

Located in a subtropical region, Hong Kong enjoys valuable geographical features - mountainous terrain and extensive coastline - and distinct seasons. They together nurture a rich variety of natural habitats, providing homes for a wide range of flora and fauna. Following the release of the "Biodiversity" special stamps in 2010, Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps on the theme of "Biodiversity II" to showcase the city's distinctive biodiversity, with a view to raising the public's awareness of ecological conservation and inspiring their collaboration in protecting our natural treasures.

Kowloon City District boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage and has undergone tremendous changes over the past few decades. Once home to the legendary Kowloon Walled City, the district has ushered in significant development opportunities since the relocation of Kai Tak Airport to Chek Lap Kok in 1998. Following the successive completion of the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and the Kai Tak Sports Park, Kowloon City District will host more international and national sporting events, further boosting the development of local tourism. Hongkong Post will issue a set of four stamps on the theme of "Hong Kong Past and Present Series: Kowloon City District", setting out with the public on a journey through time to savour the past and present of Kowloon City District as well as its changing landscape.

Guangcai, the shortened form of "Guangzhou painted porcelain" or "Canton Famille Rose Porcelain", is one of the traditional crafts of Lingnan culture. The Guangcai making technique was inscribed onto the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Hong Kong in 2024. The technique dates back to the early Qing dynasty and was transmitted from Guangzhou to Hong Kong in the 1920s. In addition to conserving the traditional hand-painting technique and auspicious patterns, Guangcai produced in Hong Kong also incorporates local painting techniques and special motifs, hence the name Gangcai ("Hong Kong painted porcelain"). Hongkong Post will issue special stamps on the theme of "Guangcai Making Technique" to promote Lingnan craftsmanship and local intangible cultural heritage, showcasing the ingenuity of Hong Kong artisans that has been passed down through generations.

Inscribed onto the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016, the "24 Solar Terms" of the Chinese calendar reflect the change in seasons and meteorological patterns. Subsequent to the "24 Solar Terms - Spring", "24 Solar Terms - Summer" and "24 Solar Terms - Autumn" special stamps issued in 2020, 2023 and 2025 respectively, Hongkong Post will issue special stamps themed on "24 Solar Terms - Winter", featuring six solar terms of winter, namely "Winter Commences", "Light Snow", "Heavy Snow", "Winter Solstice", "Moderate Cold" and "Severe Cold". As the final episode of the "24 Solar Terms" series, this special stamp set marks the successful completion of the entire four seasons stamp collection.

As a treasure of Chinese culture, Chinese medicine has a long history in disease prevention and treatment as well as health preservation and has made a significant contribution to safeguarding people's health. With the implementation of various policy measures, and the successive commissioning of the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong and the Government Chinese Medicines Testing Institute, Chinese medicine has become an important integral part of Hong Kong's healthcare system. Hongkong Post will release a set of four stamps and one stamp sheetlet on the theme of "Development of Chinese Medicine in Hong Kong" to showcase key milestones in the development of Chinese medicine in Hong Kong.

In addition, the "2025 Hong Kong Definitive Stamps" with new denominations are expected to be issued later this year. Details will be announced in due course.

Customers may place advance orders for the above new stamp products from today on Hongkong Post's online shopping platform ShopThruPost (shopthrupost.hongkongpost.hk). Customers may also visit the Facebook page "@Hongkong Post Stamps" (www.facebook.com/HKPStamps) for more details. Customers who place orders by July 2 (Thursday) will receive attractive gifts and bonus points. Further information about placing orders can be obtained from the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or by calling the Hongkong Post Philatelic Bureau hotline at 2785 5711.

Source: AI-found images