[Video/Nantong Daily]

International students from Nantong College of Science and Technology in Jiangsu province recently experienced the Chinese traditions of Duanwu Festival, or Dragon Boat Festival, by rowing dragon boats over Haohe River.

The international participants hail from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, and other countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Duanwu Festival, which falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, began as a day to remember Qu Yuan, a poet during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC), steeped with love for his country.

After learning about the origin of the festival, the international students received instruction on how to maintain a unified rhythm with their team from Chinese coaches before trying their hand at rowing out on the water.

International and Chinese students row a dragon boat over Haohe River in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

International and Chinese students row a dragon boat over Haohe River in Nantong. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Dragon boat racers exert all their efforts to try to finish first at the race. [Photo/Nantong Daily]