Jida zongzi-making craze feeds the needy and worthy

A thousand people made 120,000 zongzi (pyramid-shaped steamed glutinous rice packages in bamboo or reed leaves) on May 30 at the Zhuhai General Merchandize Fair in Jida, setting what a Shanghai organization calls a national record. The charity event reportedly was organized by Shenzhen Jiade Culture Communication.

Rice dumplings on display

Everyone makes rice dumplings

All the rice dumplings made on the site were donated to the Home for the Aged, poverty-stricken families, the army, workers on the Hong Kong Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) project, and sanitation workers. 

HZMB workers with rice dumplings 

Folk performances, lion and dragon dances, and photography contests were also staged on site, increasing the festive atmosphere of celebrating the traditional Dragon Boat Festival. 

Lion dance [Photos by Zhu Xi & Wu Changfu / Zhuhai Daily] 

Officials from the Shanghai China Records Headquarters issued certificates to representatives of Jiade, witnessed by officials from the Zhuhai Charity Federation and local chambers of commerce.

Leading groups from Jiade also contributed 500,000 yuan ($73,346) to set up a charitable foundation and to cover the cost of the event.