On May 25, the 3rd International Talent's Dragon Boat Tour event was successfully held at the Sanlongwan Dragon Boat Training Base in Foshan. Guided by the Foshan Sanlongwan Sci-tech City Management Committee, and co-hosted by the Foshan International Talents Hub (Sanlongwan) and the Lecong Town Public Service Office, the event saw the participation of over 70 high-level international professionals living and working in Foshan. These participants engaged in dragon boat racing and experienced intangible cultural heritage, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the traditional Chinese Dragon Boat Festival.

Distinguished guests such as Zhang Bing, Vice Chairman of the Foshan CPPCC, Zhang Haiying, Deputy Director of the Foshan Sanlongwan Sci-tech City Management Committee, Su Huiyi, Deputy Director of the Foshan Foreign Affairs Bureau, and Wang Feng, Deputy Secretary of the Lecong Town Party Committee, attended the event.

This year marks the third consecutive year that Sanlongwan International Talents Hub has organized the event. The form of this year's event was richer and more diverse than in previous years, with higher participation and a stronger sense of engagement. Representatives from international schools, hospitals, German businesses, and large corporations, as well as friends from over ten countries including the UK, Germany, Australia, the USA, Bangladesh, India, and the Philippines, took part in the event.

Zhang Bing highlighted that the event aims to provide a platform for international talents to forge friendships, engage closely with traditional Lingnan culture, and fall in love with Foshan, a dynamic ancient city with a thousand-year history.

Dragon Boat Race: A Showcase of International Cooperation

Dragon boat culture embodies the unique spiritual values and cultural awareness of Lingnan region, and is an integral part of Foshan's intangible cultural heritage. At the dock, under the guidance of professional dragon boat team members, the international participants attentively listened to safety instructions, learned paddling techniques, and mastered essential movements before dividing into groups for the dragon boat race.

As the starting gun fired, participants chanted "One, two, one, two," and paddled vigorously. On the Shaliang River, several dragon boats competed fiercely, creating splashes of water and showcasing an exhilarating competition of "speed and passion." Despite their different nationalities and languages, the participants demonstrated a spirit of unity, collaboration, and perseverance under the guiding ethos of "in the same boat, striving together, united and hardworking," presenting a unique international style.

After intense competition, the winning teams were announced. Regardless of the final standings, all participants were deeply immersed in the event's atmosphere, relishing the experience.

Immersive Cultural Heritage Experience: Appreciating the Charm of Traditional Chinese Culture

In addition to dragon boat racing, the event featured several cultural heritage experience booths, such as handmade sachets, fish lanterns, braided bracelets, and catching Zongzi. Talents actively participated in the event, experiencing the unique charm of traditional Chinese culture.

Notably, the event also included the sharing of roast pig, symbolizing "good fortune," with the winning team cutting and sharing the crispy, tender, and flavorful Shunde roast pig, allowing everyone to savor this traditional delicacy.

"This is my first time participating in a dragon boat event. The atmosphere of mutual encouragement and intense competition deeply moved me," said Andrew Munim from the Foshan LEH International School. Having been in Foshan for less than a year, he expressed that the city's urban amenities and cultural ambiance have left a lasting impression on him. He hopes for more events like this in the future to provide a platform for talent exchange.

The "International Talents Dragon Boat Racing" is one of the signature events of the Sanlongwan International Talents Hub. The successful organization of the third annual event provided a platform for talents to showcase their skills, in addition to the promotion of further cultural exchange and integration. The Talents Hub, focusing on serving research and international talents, has long enriched the cultural lives of talents through various activities, enhancing their sense of belonging and cohesion.

The Sanlongwan International Talents Hub continues to offer diverse exchange activities for international talents. Looking ahead, the Sanlongwan Sci-tech City aims to seize the development opportunities of building a high-level talent hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. By leveraging the platform of the Talents Hub, it seeks to provide more diversified and high-quality cultural exchange experiences, attract more high-level and high-quality talents, and create a world-class business environment. This effort will contribute to building Foshan into an international talent hub, a model of open cooperation on the west bank of the Pearl River, and a demonstration area for Guangzhou-Foshan talent integration.

Reporter | Eddie

Revisor | Eleanor, Lynn

Photo | Foshan Sanlongwan Sci-tech City

*If the picture infringes any rights, please contact us for deletion.