Israel's ancient city Akko hosts dragon boat race

Jerusalem [Israel], September 9: A dragon boat race was held in northern Israel on Friday, with hundreds of paddlers from 17 teams nationwide competing in the Mediterranean Sea.
Annually held in the thousand-year-old port city of Akko, the event was jointly sponsored by the Chinese Embassy in Israel and the municipality.
Addressing the event, Liu Song, charge d'affaires at the Chinese embassy, said the popularity of dragon boat racing worldwide lies in the fact that it embodies the spirit of teamwork, striving for progress, and aiming for excellence.
Saying the race is not only a sports event but also a platform for promoting economic and cultural activities, the Chinese envoy voiced his hope that people from the two countries will seek common ground while setting aside differences, and work hand in hand for common development.
"One of our main goals in organizing the event is to bring people of different backgrounds, ages and capabilities together, so as to promote understanding and solidarity between the two peoples," he added.
Loay Fares, an official in charge of coordinating the event from Akko municipality, said the dragon boat race serves as a bridge of understanding between people from Israel and China and has created a special bond among residents from different cultural backgrounds in Israel.
Also on Friday, cultural events such as dragon dance, Taichi, Chinese calligraphy and painting, were staged simultaneously with the dragon boat race.
Source: Xinhua