New York ETO Promotes Hong Kong's Cultural Heritage at Dragon Boat Festival

New York ETO promotes Hong Kong's vibrant culture at dragon boat festival

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (HKDBF-NY), a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990.

This year's festival marks the 40th anniversary of Hong Kong's gift of teak wood dragon boats to citiesacross North America, including New York City, introducing this centuries-old Chinese tradition to the continent. This legacy takes centre stage this weekend with a special invitational race to commemorate the anniversary, alongside a display of the traditional teak wood dragon boats for visitors throughout the weekend.

At the festival opening ceremony on August 8 (New York time), the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, reflected on this legacy and how the HKDBF-NY, one of New York City's largest multicultural festivals, has brought people together for 36 years, proving that sport has a unique power to connect and unite people.

Ms Ho said the festival is a celebration of heritage, resilience and teamwork, noting that the vigour, determination and camaraderie shown by the competing athletes reflect the same qualities that define Hong Kong – a cosmopolitan and vibrant gateway city that connects business, talent and ideas, while remaining firmly rooted in its cultural heritage.

Ms Ho added that the festival is a testament to the enduring friendship between Hong Kong and New York and the United States, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties. "Our office remains committed to building on this relationship in the years ahead," she said.

This weekend's festivities also coincide with a milestone moment for dragon boating worldwide, as the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) recently relocated its global headquarters back to Hong Kong in July, marking a homecoming to the birthplace of the modern dragon boat movement. The IDBF's World Dragon Boat Racing Championships will also return to Hong Kong next year for the first time since 1997. Ms Ho noted that this development was a vote of confidence in Hong Kong as a world-class hub for international sport.

Ahead of the race weekend, Ms Ho and representatives of the festival's major sponsors gathered in Hudson Yards on July 15 for the traditional "awakening" ceremony, dotting the eyes of the dragons in a ritual believed to bring good fortune to the racers. Then on August 7, the festival's organising committee took the celebration to Wall Street, ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange, a nod to the festival's place in New York's cultural and sporting calendar.

Over the two-day festival, more than 170 teams and over 1 800 paddlers battled for the podium in front of a strong crowd. Beyond the races, the New York ETO had a festival booth to promote Hong Kong to visitors. Visitors all enjoyed delectable Hong Kong street food, vibrant cultural and musical performances, alongside martial arts and arts and crafts demonstrations throughout the festival grounds.

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York (HKDBF-NY), a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. The Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (front row, fourth left), joins the Chairman of the HKDBF-NY, Henry Wan (front row, fifth left), Head of Corporate Affairs at New York Stock Exchange, Will Goodwin (front row, sixth left), and other HKDBF-NY board members to ring in the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on August 7 (New York time) to usher in the HKDBF-NY. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. The Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (front row, fifth left), joins invited guests in the dragon boat eye-dotting ceremony in New York’s Hudson Yards on July 15 (New York time), to launch the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The HKETONY Dragon Riders, the dragon boat team of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, took part in the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York on August 8-9 (New York time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The HKETONY Dragon Riders, the dragon boat team of the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York, took part in the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York on August 8-9 (New York time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. Over the two-day festival, the New York ETO had a festival booth to promote Hong Kong to visitors. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. Over the two-day festival, the New York ETO had a festival booth to promote Hong Kong to visitors.Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. Over the two-day festival, more than 170 teams and over 1 800 paddlers battled for the podium in front of a strong crowd. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. Speaking at the opening ceremony on August 8 (New York time), the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (right) said the festival is a testament to the enduring friendship between Hong Kong and New York and the United States, fostering mutual understanding and strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (third right), and the Deputy Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Mr Ma Xiaoxiao (second right), taking part in the eye-dotting ceremony marking the opening of the festival on August 8 (New York time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) continues to support the 36th Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, a role it has held since founding the festival in 1990. Photo shows the Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho (front row, fourth left); the Deputy Consul General of the People's Republic of China in New York, Mr Ma Xiaoxiao (front row, fifth left); the Chairman of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival in New York, Mr Henry Wan (front row, third left), and other dignitaries officiating at the ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of the festival on August 8 (New York time). Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DH reminds public to take precautions against heat-related illnesses during very hot weather

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health (DH) today (August 10) reminded members of the public to take appropriate precautions against heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke, during very hot weather.

The Centre for Health Protection, Photo source: reference image

In a high-temperature environment, excessive sweating and difficulty in heat dissipation can cause stress to the body. Members of the public should take the following precautions:

• Hydrate in a timely manner to prevent dehydration;

• Wear light-coloured, loose-fitting and breathable clothing to minimise heat absorption and facilitate perspiration and heat dissipation;

• Keep indoor areas well ventilated and maintain appropriate temperature and humidity, e.g. by opening windows or using a fan or air-conditioning;

• Avoid strenuous exercise and prolonged activities such as hiking or trekking;

• Arrange outdoor activities in the morning or the late afternoon, if possible, and bring enough water; and

• Avoid beverages containing caffeine, such as coffee and tea, as well as alcoholic beverages, which may speed up water loss through the urinary system.

In addition, infants and children, the elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or high blood pressure, overweight people and outdoor/manual workers are more susceptible to heat stroke. These groups should pay special attention to the following:

• Infants and young children: Avoid going outside when the temperature is high. If they must go outside, adults should ensure they stay in places with moderate temperatures and good ventilation or air-conditioning. Infants and young children should never be left unattended in a confined space such as a vehicle;

• The elderly, pregnant women, individuals with chronic illnesses and overweight people: Pay close attention to health conditions and seek help as soon as possible if experiencing any abnormalities in health indicators such as blood pressure, heart rate, etc or if there are fluctuations in health conditions. Avoid going out when the temperature is high. Make sure there is good ventilation, or turn on a fan or air-conditioner to keep an appropriate temperature indoors. High temperatures can also worsen the condition of people with chronic illnesses (such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases). Therefore, they should have an ample supply of their usual medication and keep in contact with family members, neighbours and the community. People should seek immediate help if they feel unwell.

• Outdoor/manual workers: Reschedule work to cooler hours as far as feasible. If working in a hot environment is unavoidable, provide shade where practicable and use ventilation and heat dissipation equipment. Once work has begun, gradually adjust the pace of work and take breaks in the shade to regain strength.

Hot weather in Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post

The DH reminded the public that heat stroke is one of the most common health risks in hot weather. Over the past five years, there have been over 200 hospital admissions due to heat stroke each year in Hong Kong, with two to five fatal cases occurring mainly during the summer months from May to September. Vulnerable groups are more susceptible to heat stroke. Symptoms include dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion. In severe cases, patients may suffer from convulsions or become unconscious, which can be life-threatening if they are not cooled down and resuscitated in a timely manner.

Members of the public are also advised to pay attention to the latest weather, as well as the real-time and forecasted ultraviolet (UV) index released by the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO). When the UV index is high (6 or above), the public should note the following:

• Avoid direct sunlight exposure to the skin and the eyes;

• Apply broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen liberally, with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 or higher, when participating in outdoor activities. Reapply every two hours if staying outdoors for long periods, or after swimming, sweating or towelling off;

• While using DEET-containing insect repellents for personal protection against mosquito-borne diseases, apply sunscreen before insect repellent;

• Seek shade;

• Wear UV-blocking sunglasses;

• Wear loose-fitting clothing with long-sleeves; and

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat or use an umbrella.

If symptoms develop, such as dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath or confusion, rest and seek help immediately, and seek medical advice as soon as possible.

Hot weather in Hong Kong, Photo by Bastille Post

For more health information, the public may visit the CHP's heat stroke page and UV radiation page; the HKO's Dial-a-Weather (1878 200), latest weather report and forecast, UV Index and weather information for hiking and mountaineering; and press releases of the Labour Department on precautions against heat stroke for outdoor workers and their employers when the Heat Stress at Work Warning is in force.