Foreigners Joining Dragon Boat Races in GZ: We Are Part of China

On June 2, 42 dragon boats from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area participated in a spectacular dragon boat display and race in Shilou Town, Panyu District. Among them, a mixed team of Chinese and foreign participants became an eye catcher. The Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Team included foreign members from various countries such as the UK, Jordan, Poland, Japan, South Korea and etc. They temporarily joined the Guangzhou Hengzhi Team and played against other dragon boat teams from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Zhongshan, Xinhui, and local teams from Panyu District, delivering a thrilling display of speed and excitement ahead of the Dragon Boat Festival.

Doki, a Serbian student from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, watched the entire dragon boatrace with reporters from Yangcheng Evening News and learned about the team's stories with dragon boating in Guangzhou. Stone, the captain of the Guangzhou International Dragon Boat Team, explained that the team was founded in 1998, and the majority of its members are foreigners working in Guangzhou. Speaking of dragon boating in China,David, the team manager from the UK, expressed that every sport requires team spirit, community, cooperationand competition, which are stronger with dragon boating. Despite the diverse language environments and cultural backgrounds, they are all one team when joining the dragon boat race. "When you are inthat boat, you feel like you are part of the Chinese community, and part of China," said David.
Ma Cheongrong, a member from South Korea, is over fifty years old but continues to participate in dragon boating, which has made him physically stronger. He remarked that dragon boating, unlike individual sports, emphasizes team spirit. "I think this embodies the Chinese spirit."
Jakub from Poland also expressed his fascination with China's rich dragon boat tradition, noting that every dragon boat reflects customs, heritage, ethnic integration, and cultural depth of China. "For us foreigners, it’s a great occasion to really get involved in it," he said.
Source: 广州外事