Rescue operations underway in flood-hit regions in China's Guizhou, Guangxi

Multiple areas in southwest China's Guizhou Province and south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on Saturday experienced intense downpours, with residents trapped and transportation networks disrupted.

In Mawei Town, Dushan County, Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, sudden heavy rainfall struck on Saturday.

Monitoring data showed that from 06:00 to 22:00, cumulative rainfall at five meteorological stations in Mawei Town exceeded 200 millimeters. The torrential rain caused river water levels to surge rapidly, resulting in widespread road flooding and numerous fallen trees blocking passages.

In response to the flooding, local authorities immediately mobilized personnel to clear fallen trees, mud, and debris, quickly reopening blocked rural roads. Meanwhile, rescue teams used inflatable boats to conduct door-to-door hazard inspections and safely evacuating 600 residents in an orderly manner.

Heavy rainfall has persisted for several days across northern Guangxi, forcing numerous ferries to suspend operations.

As of 21:00 on Sunday, 120 river crossings and 192 ferry boats across Guangxi's inland waterways had been shut down. Water buses and nighttime cruise routes in Guangxi's Liuzhou City have been halted, and all tourist raft services on the Li River in Guilin City have been completely suspended.

On Saturday evening, a farmers' market in Jinchengjiang District of Guangxi's Hechi City was severely flooded due to river water backflow. Merchants had received advance warnings and had already urgently relocated their goods to safe areas. Hechi City issued a yellow flood warning on the day, with some rivers exceeding alert water levels.

The Guangxi Maritime Safety Administration upgraded its inland river flood emergency response to Level III at 20:30 on Saturday.

China has a four-tier emergency response system, with Level I being the most severe response.

Rescue operations underway in flood-hit regions in China's Guizhou, Guangxi

Foreign visitors in multiple Chinese cities immersed themselves in Zongzi-making and dragon boat racing, two traditions of the Dragon Boat Festival, gaining a hands-on experience of traditional Chinese culture while sharing the joy of the festival with the local people.

The Dragon Boat Festival, also known as the Duanwu Festival, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month on the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it fell on June 19.

In Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, many foreign visitors took part in local intangible cultural heritage workshops where they got to make Zongzi with their own hands.

"So many people gather together to celebrate this festival and eat together. It's really good," said a visitor from Pakistan.

In Nanchang, east China's Jiangxi Province, international students rolled up their sleeves alongside residents, stuffing rice with fillings, folding bamboo leaves, and tying the bundles with string. They also crafted scented sachets, a traditional item associated with the festival.

"This is my first time making Zongzi. They're stuffed with beans and red dates. The whole process was so fun. Traditional Chinese culture holds deep significance," said a student from Russia.

"Zongzi smelled amazing, and the atmosphere was wonderful. Everyone here felt just like one big family," said a student from Morocco.

Beyond Zongzi-making, foreign visitors in Beijing also raced dragon boats.

"This is my first time seeing such an activity, being involved in some traditional experience. It's good to interact with a lot of people. Riding a boat is very fun as well," said a visitor from Brazil.

Foreigners in China experience Duanwu Festival customs