Chinese and British university students come together in Harbin for an international ice dragon boat friendship race, strengthening youth exchange through winter sports.
The “HIT–Cambridge–Oxford Cup” Ice Dragon Boat International Friendship Race opened on Jan. 10th in Harbin, the capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province. The event brought together students from top universities in China and the United Kingdom for a winter sports exchange on ice.
The race was hosted by Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT). In total, 14 teams took part. They represented universities including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, Peking University, Tsinghua University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Macau.
The ice dragon boat race is a winter adaptation of traditional dragon boat racing. It was developed in Harbin to reflect the city’s ice-and-snow environment. Unlike water-based dragon boat racing, the sport combines winter athletics with paddling techniques similar to kayaking. As a result, it highlights both traditional culture and modern sports innovation.
“Ice dragon boat racing allowed me to experience the wisdom and vitality of traditional Chinese sports,” said Daniel Foran, a student from the University of Oxford. Meanwhile, he expressed hope that students from Harbin Institute of Technology could visit the United Kingdom this summer to experience rowing there.
In addition to the competition, the organisers presented 14 awards, including four first prizes, four second prizes, and six third prizes. Teams from Nanjing University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the University of Cambridge, and Harbin Institute of Technology won first prizes.
Additional reporting by CNS, Xinhua.
If you liked this article, why not read: Thrills on the Water: International Universities Rowing in Nanjing
