Presented by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Dubai (Dubai ETO), the fourth edition of the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Challenge was successfully held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on January 24 and 25 (Dubai Time), marking the world's first Hong Kong dragon boat races of 2026 to kickstart races in various places.

     Held at the Dubai Creek, the two-day event was joined by over 1,500 competitors of different nationalities and backgrounds. With the support of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai, this year's races saw a record high 62 teams, with participation from all the seven emirates of the UAE for the first time. The Dubai ETO and the Consulate General also formed joint teams comprising members from the Hong Kong and Chinese communities living in the UAE to participate in the races.

     Speaking at the award presentation ceremony, the Director-General of the Dubai ETO, Mr Simon Chan, highlighted that dragon boat is more than a competition. With its deep roots in fine traditional Chinese culture, it symbolises strength, resilience, friendship, and unity. He noted that the successful hosting of a large-scale dragon boat event in the international metropolis of Dubai, where the joy of this sport is shared with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, fully reflects the increasingly close people ties, cultural exchanges and friendly interactions between Hong Kong and the UAE.

     Beyond the thrilling races which attracted large crowds of spectators, this year's programme also offered new cultural and tourism elements for visitors' experience, including lion dance, cultural performances and authentic Hong Kong flavours – from Hong Kong style milk tea and pineapple buns with butter to curry fish balls and dim sum – offering a true taste of Hong Kong in Dubai, which were equally popular with long lines queueing up. The Dubai ETO and the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) also set up promotional booths at the venue to provide information about Hong Kong and promote its various tourist attractions to athletes and guests.

     Mr Chan and the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Dubai, Ms Ou Boqian, jointly presented awards to winners of different categories of races, and congratulated the best performing team who will be invited to participate in the international dragon boat races to be held in Hong Kong by HKTB later this year .

     "This year's event not only strengthens the bond between Hong Kong and various sectors of the UAE, but also provides the exciting opportunity for our friends in the UAE to visit Hong Kong, so as to discover and experience the extraordinary charm of Asia's world city for themselves," said Mr Chan.

     Dubai ETO will continue to organise various events in the member states of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, with the aim of promoting exchanges and collaborations in areas such as trade and business, culture, tourism and education.

Ends/Friday, January 30, 2026
Issued at HKT 0:15

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