The 2nd Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Shiqi, Zhongshan) was organized in Zhongshan on May 26. [Photo by Yu Zhaoyu]

The 2nd Dragon Boat Invitational Tournament of the Greater Bay Area (Shiqi, Zhongshan) for 2019 was organized on May 26 in the waters between Dongming Bridge and Kanghua Bridge along the Qijiang River.

More teams participated in the race compared to last year's. A total of 40 strong dragon boat teams involving about 1,700 athletes from 11 Greater Bay Area cities and Shanwei City converged in Zhongshan for the race. 

After fierce competition, the Nanxia Changlong Dragon Boat Team, Zhongshan International Baseball Town Dragon Boat Team, and Qitou Women's Dragon Boat Team respectively won the championships of the Men's Long Dragon Boat group, the Men's International Dragon Boat group and the Women's International Dragon Boat group.

The Dragon Boat Race, as a traditional folk culture activity in Shiqi District, has a long history of more than 500 years and wide popularity. The "painting dragon boat record at the Dragon Boat Festival" dates as far back as the Ming Dynasty. There was a vivid description of the "colorful dragon boats racing in water" in the Qing Dynasty. The Dragon Boat Race has now been included in the list of the Guangdong Intangible Cultural Heritage Projects.

On the same day, a 5G plus VR HD live broadcast of the event was organized thanks to the joint efforts of the Zhongshan Branch of China Unicom and the Zhongshan Broadcasting & Television Station, which allowed citizens to enjoy the game through a 720-degree panoramic view with their mobile phones.