Sansha, China's southernmost city, welcomed the Dragon Boat Festival on Wednesday with a spirited race over the South China Sea, where thunderous drumbeats and roaring cheers transformed the azure waters into a spectacle of tradition and unity.
The second annual South China Sea Dragon Boat Race drew 14 competing teams to the Xiyu Fishing Pier on Yongxing Island, where local fishermen reinvented their everyday workboats as majestic "fishing-style dragon vessels." With painted bows cutting through the waves, each crew chased not just victory, but pride for their community.
"It's my first time competing in this event on the island, and I've already won a championship. I couldn't be more excited and happy," said Guo Wenhao, one of the participants.
Out on the water, paddlers moved in furious unison, their oars churning the sea into clouds of white foam. Along the shore, cheer squads waved flags and shouted encouragement, each team bringing its own passionate supporters to rally them forward. The air was thick with tension and exhilaration.
"The atmosphere was incredibly intense. Every contestant worked very hard, and there were many exciting races to watch," said spectator Guo Yaru.
The competition also featured an innovative dragon-boat tug-of-war on the water, drawing several teams eager to test their strength and coordination in a whole new way.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to win this championship. We owe it to the unity of our whole team. Through every practice, even when our hands blistered from gripping the oars, not a single one of us complained," said He Shicun, a participant.
The Dragon Boat Festival, or Duanwu Festival, the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, falls on June 19, this year. Its signature tradition -- dragon boat racing -- dates back over 2,000 years. Today, the race reflects teamwork, courage, and perseverance, while also serving as a cultural tradition and global sport that brings communities together.
Roaring dragon boat racing brings festival fever to China's southernmost city
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), the body responsible for maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, announced on Friday new procedures for vessels seeking passage through the waterway, including a requirement that transit requests be submitted at least 48 hours in advance.
In a post on social media platform X, the PGSA stressed that only vessels that comply with the requirements will be "cleared for passage promptly."
The PGSA said passage requests must be submitted exclusively through its website and email address, and must include vessels' "valid and accessible" contact information. To avoid delays, vessels are required to submit passage requests and necessary information "at least 48 hours prior to arrival at the strait area," it said.
The PGSA also announced that, during the 60-day period specified in the newly signed peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the United States, ships will be exempt from charges related to passage through the strait. Costs associated with security, safety and environmental services, as well as related Iranian insurance requirements, will be covered by the Iranian government.
Vessels must coordinate with Iranian authorities in advance regarding the designated route and time of crossing the Strait of Hormuz, it said, adding that vessel owners will bear responsibility for any failure to comply with the regulation.
The announcement came a day after Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) issued an order for the swift handling of requests by vessels for passage through the Strait of Hormuz in line with the Iran-U.S. MoU.
According to the SNSC, under the MoU, no fee will be charged for 60 days for passage by ships requesting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, and all the expenses will be covered by the Iranian government.
On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, barring safe passage of vessels belonging to or affiliated with Israel and the United States.
Iran issues new procedures for vessels requesting passage through Strait of Hormuz
