Shanghai dragon boat races draw crowds

The two-day Phicomm Cup China Dragon Boat Open 2017 started in Shanghai on Saturday with competitors from home and abroad and hundreds of spectators. It's being held during the same time as the 14th Shanghai International Suzhou Creek Dragon Boat Invitation Tournament.

The two competitions have attracted 52 teams, including Macao Special Administrative Region and overseas teams from Russia, Belarus, Thailand, Singapore, Bulgaria and Norway. For the China Dragon Boat Open, a total of 12 teams competed in the 200 meter and 500 meter races set for 22-person dragon boats. Eight teams took part in the local mini-dragon boat race.

The tournament included more race events, in which people from companies, government departments and even high school students could take part.. Apart from dragon boat races, the competition organizers also combined activities to demonstrate traditional Chinese culture, such as paintings made of paper stickers.

Meanwhile, competitors and those in attendance could enjoy the beautiful scenery along Suzhou Creek, which for three decades the local government has been dedicated to controlling water pollution and improving the surrounding environment.