Hong Kong hosts dragon boat races to mark Dragon Boat Festival

China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was filled with festive cheer on Friday as dragon boat races and a variety of cultural activities were held across the city to mark the Dragon Boat Festival.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. This year, the festival fell on June 19, with the three-day holiday running through June 21.

At Stanley Beach in southern Hong Kong, the Stanley International Dragon Boat Championships took place at the sea. Against the backdrop of rolling waves, batches of dragon boats sliced through the water to offer spectators a close-up view of the thrilling races and create a vibrant festive atmosphere.

The competition featured more than 180 dragon boat teams and thousands of athletes. The sound of gongs and drums mixed with cheers filled the air.

This year, the SAR government continues to promote cultural and tourism events using a "tradition plus innovation" model. Dragon boat races, food carnivals and other activities have been held across the city to allow locals and tourists to watch races, eat zongzi -- the sticky rice dumplings, and experience the charm of traditional festivals.

"I personally believe that the Dragon Boat Festival and dragon boat racing are the best moral education lessons in Chinese culture. Dragon boat racing puts emphasis on unity and teamwork as everyone rows together in the same boat," said Lee Chi-kin, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) and president of the Education University of Hong Kong.

"Every Dragon Boat Festival, people living in Hong Kong watch dragon boat races and eat sweet zongzi. These customs passed down from generation to generation have truly demonstrated truly showcases the cultural identity and patriotism of Hong Kong compatriots who share the same roots as people on the motherland," said Chan Ching-har, another member of the National Committee of the CPPCC, and a member of Hong Kong's Executive Council.

For many young people, the festival carries special meaning.

"Seeing this traditional festival preserved in such a lively way makes me very proud. Our excellent traditional Chinese culture continues to thrive through each festival and through the participation of generation after generation of people," said a young local resident.

Hong Kong hosts dragon boat races to mark Dragon Boat Festival

Spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) Babar Baloch warned that millions of internally displaced persons remain unable to return home due to stalled peace efforts, urging stronger global support as the crisis threatens to affect everyone.

At the end of 2025, 68.7 million people remained internally displaced due to conflict and violence, a 7 percent decrease from the end of 2024, according to the latest Global Trends report published this month.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN), Baloch referred to two countries in severe situations -- Sudan, which remains the largest internal displacement globally with 9.1 million people still displaced at the end of 2025, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which faces severe humanitarian crisis amid both violence and the Ebola outbreak.

Baloch said many displaced people remain near their homes hoping for a quick return, but warned that ongoing conflict and stalled peace efforts often dash those expectations and leave lives in danger.

"The problem is, as this report showed us, that once you become displaced, then it's not easy for people to go back to their places of origin because there are no efforts to bring back peace, or the efforts which continue, they don't bring results. And also if people stay closer to homes, and if there's a conflict, and if there are reasons that they may not become safe, so, also, their lives are in danger," he said.

With few solutions in sight, Baloch warned that the plight of internally displaced persons must become a global concern, as new conflicts continue to erupt and leave millions at risk.

"The trends are consistent in a way that there are not many solutions to be found for these displaced population. And then we see more and new theaters of war and conflict, or opening up. In terms of people when they become displaced, we are telling the world that you need to take care. It should be of everyone's concern because it affects all of us, all around the world alike," he said.

UNHCR warns global displacement crisis puts lives at risk