HKETONY promotes Hong Kong at Dragon Boat Festival in Boston (with photos)

     Supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (HKETONY), the 44th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival saw more than 1 500 paddlers from 64 teams competing on the Charles River today (June 11, Boston time).

     Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Director of HKETONY, Ms Candy Nip, said that since its inaugural edition in 1979, the Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival is the oldest dragon boat festival in the United States, and has become a flagship event in promoting friendship between Hong Kong and New England.

     "Hong Kong is proud to be the birthplace of modern dragon boat racing. This brilliant mix of culture and sport is now widely celebrated around the world. It embraces strength and stamina, together with harmony, balance and team work," Ms Nip said. She also invited the audience to visit Hong Kong as the city has fully resumed connectivity with the world, and is full of exciting opportunities.

     On shore, the Festival offered visitors a wide variety of cultural programmes, demonstrations and performances, as well as delicacies along the river bank, promoting Asian culture and diversity.

     This year's Festival attracted more than 50 000 revellers in the region.