On 29 May 2022, the UK’ s 8th Chinese Dragon Boat Festival organised by the Xinhua Chinese Association(XCA), was held at Watersports Centre at Salford Quays. There were 36 teams consisting of Chinese associations, Chinese companies, British companies, Chinese students, compatriots from Hongkong, Macau and Taiwan, and NHS healthcare workers participated in the dragon boat race. Consul General Zheng Xi Yuan attended the event with Mrs Sue Lomas OBE DL, Deputy Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, and Mr Paul Dennett, Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester and City Mayor of Salford. Thousands of others also joined the event, including local political leaders, representatives of business and academia, overseas Chinese, Chinese students and local people.
Consul General Zheng greeted the overseas Chinese, Chinese students and Chinese companies at the event. Mr Zheng said that dragon boat race is the best embodiment of our national spirit of pulling together in times of difficulty and marching ahead with courage. It is our custom to hang calamus, burn dried mugwart, wear spice sachets to ward off evil spirit and pray for health at the festival. After two years, the relaunch of the race fully demonstrates our solidarity, determination and courage to prevail over the pandemic. Although being a thousand miles away, we stay truly connected and share the same future with our country. He also emphasised that China has always put people’s lives and health first, adhering to its dynamic zero-COVID policy, and will curb the spread of the disease.
Mrs Lomas began her speech by mentioning the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s best wishes for the event. She said it has become the largest of its kind in Europe, and the relaunch is not only part of Greater Manchester’s celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but also as a sign that Manchester’s community life is gradually returning to normal.
Mr Dennett said that the overseas Chinese and Chinese students are important to the diverse international community in Greater Manchester, and he and the local people in Salford are proud of the success of this event over years. He welcomed the Chinese community from all over the UK to join the event in Salford, which has shown an invigorating Manchester, and inspired people’s dream and expectation.
Dr Yang Hanxin, Chairman of the XCA, gave a speech to extend a warm welcome to the guests, contestants and people participating in the event, and thanked the Consulate General for the strong support. He said that after ten years of development, the festival has become a popular platform for people to exchange ideas and demonstrate the profound and rich Chinese culture in a diversified and inclusive society. The Chinese United Team, consisting of compatriots from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, embodies a spirit of working together with solidarity and mutual support to achieve the great national rejuvenation.
The event was filled with festive atmosphere featuring exciting boat racing, traditional performances and delicious Chinese food, and was covered by both local and international media, including Xinhua News Agency, People's Daily, Phoenix Media Inv, Manchester Evening News and other Chinese and foreign media.
