Cross-Straits dragon boat enthusiasts gather in Xiamen

Updated: May 30, 2019 chinadaily.com.cn Print

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The 2019 Cross-Straits Dragon Boat Festival takes place in Xiamen, Fujian province from May 25 to 26. [Photo/fujian.gov.cn]

The 2019 Cross-Straits Dragon Boat Festival came to a close in Xiamen, East China's Fujian province on May 26. Teams from Xiamen's Jimei district won both men's and women's races.

This year's race attracted a total of 53 teams from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, 23 of which consisted of teenagers.

"Dragon boats are very popular among young people in Taiwan. Many schools have dragon boat classes," said a dragon boat teacher from Tainan Municipal Tu Cheng High School. The school participated in the race for the first time this year.

A gourmet fair is held during the 2019 Cross-Straits Dragon Boat Festival in Xiamen, Fujian province from May 25 to 26. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

In addition to the dragon boat races, many cultural activities were held during the two-day festival, such as dragon boat tug-of-war, a culture forum on Duanwu Festival (also known as the Dragon Boat Festival), lion dance performances from Taiwan, and a gourmet fair.

Taiwan's team Mr. CaNoe won the dragon boat tug-of-war for the third consecutive year.

The Cross-Straits Dragon Boat Festival was started by renowned overseas Chinese businessman and philanthropist Tan Kah-kee (1874-1961) in 1953.