China’s Ambassador to Portugal, Yang Yirui, attended the first Lisboa Dragon Boat Festival as a guest on 27 September. Organised by Dragon Boat Portugal and supported by Lisbon City Council, the festival ran from 25 to 27 September at the Oceanário dock in Parque das Nações, Lisbon. It brought together more than 700 participants from primary and secondary schools, universities, companies, sports clubs and communities across Portugal.

Ambassador Yang said dragon boat racing holds deep significance in traditional Chinese culture. By bringing Chinese cultural elements into Portugal’s sporting and community life, the festival offered a vivid expression of friendship and exchanges between China and Portugal. He expressed hope that the initiative would promote cultural and sporting exchanges and co-operation, deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

The festival featured challenges for primary and secondary schools, universities, companies and communities. Through team training, interactive experiences and dragon boat races, participants learned more about the Chinese sport.

(Source: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Portugal, 28 September)