Drums beat, paddles cut through the water, and cheers erupted from the shore. On June 6, the 16th Shanghai and the 4th Yangtze River Delta International Students Dragon Boat Race took place at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) Fengxian Campus. A total of 716 international students from 110 countries, representing 32 universities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Shanghai and Anhui, gathered for the event.

The race was opened by Ye Linlin, Deputy Director of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission. Vice President of ECUST, Academician Zhu Weihong, noted in his speech that the dragon boat race has become a bond of friendship, a platform for exchange, and a bridge between hearts for international students in China. Following warm-up performances, delegates’ oaths, and the traditional eye-dotting ceremony, the exciting race began.

This year’s event continued the tradition of mixed teams racing on a 200m straight course. On the lake, students rowed in sync, shouting in rhythm with the drumbeats. On the shore, spectators cheered enthusiastically. After several rounds of intense competition, the team from Fudan University won the first prize. Zhejiang University and East China Normal University took the second prize, while five other universities received the third prize.

The competition was hosted by the China Scholarship Council, Shanghai Municipal Education Commission, and the International Students Education Committee of International Education Association Shanghai. ECUST has organized the event for 16 consecutive years. The dragon boat race is not only a sports event but also a vivid cultural experience, helping international students better understand China through teamwork and friendly competition. Moving forward, ECUST will continue to use cultural activities as a bridge to promote exchange and mutual learning between Chinese and international students.