The Dragon Boat Festival
is one of the most historical, celebrated and culturally significant festivals in Chinese culture. First held in 2012, the UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival has grown over the years and become the largest dragon boat racing event in Europe.
Fenjiu Team racing at Salford Quays.
Fenjiu banners at Salford Quays (image source: Manchester Evening News)
Cheng International took part in this year’s event on behalf of Fenjiu International by sending a team to join the race, as well as setting up a Fenjiu Lifestyle Experience Pavilion at Salford Quays right next to the canal.
Residents from nearby areas and as far as Leeds and Liverpool flocked to the festival, and thoroughly enjoyed the Fenjiu lifestyle, culture, and creativity to their fullest.
Throughout the day, visitors to the Fenjiu Pavilion were not only able to learn about Fenjiu as a brand and some of its best-selling products in the UK, including Zhu Ye Qing Jiu (Box Packaged) 45% and Fenjiu Red, but also tasted our Fenjiu chocolates formulated in partnership with renowned chocolatier William Curley, and our innovative Fenjiu mocktails.
They also took part in our specially designed mini games including red string draw, Chinese poems quiz, and dice throwing. According to their feedback, it was a truly eye-opening exposure to Chinese culture.
Don’t worry if you missed the event, because we have just the right GIFs for you to revisit the festivities▼
We even enjoyed the honour of welcoming Sue Lomas OBE, representative of HM the Queen to our Fenjiu Pavilion.
This was Mrs Lomas’ first visit to the UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, and she was amazed by the jolly spirits. She tried the Fenjiu chocolate, and even attempted the poem quiz▼
This year
saw the UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival coming back to Salford Quays for the first time since the Covid pandemic began. Local communities welcomed the event with phenomenal enthusiasm and excitement. 36 teams, including the Fenjiu team joined the race, with the CSSA Hull Team taking home the trophy.
The festival also featured dragon and lion dances, traditional Chinese singing, kung fu, tai chi, and calligraphy, curating an all-encompassing environment to dive into the Chinese traditions. For the local Chinese communities, it was a wonderful reminder of their homeland. For British locals, it also proved to be fascinating with special intercultural impact.
Dragon and lion dances and kung fu performances entertained the crowds who gathered for the event.
Some of the most distinguished guests included Consul General of People’s Republic of China in Manchester Mr Zheng Xiyuan, Deputy Lieutenant Mrs Sue Lomas OBE, Salford City Council City Mayor Mr Paul Dennett, Chairman of Xinhua Chinese Association Dr Hanxin Yang, Chairman of Cheng International Zarina Guan, International Business Development Director Rickie Ren, and Chairman of CSSA Manchester Ms Xue Bai.
Guests and the teams at the opening ceremony
At the opening ceremony, Mr Zheng Xiyuan commented, ‘Dragon boat racing is the best embodiment of our national spirit of pulling together in times of difficulty and marching ahead with courage. It's our custom to pray for health at the Dragon Boat Festival. After two years, the dragon boat is coming back to us again, which fully demonstrates our solidarity, determination, and courage to prevail over the pandemic.’
He also commended the UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival for showcasing the strong ties among the local Chinese communities, especially in the face of the Covid pandemic.
The festival opened the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in Greater Manchester to commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s 70 years of remarkable reign.
‘The Chinese community in Greater Manchester has a rich heritage, which we've been able to share for over 100 years. The festivals, and the events that are held across the city allow us to learn more about your culture, and they enrich the multi-cultural society that's so important in the success of our Manchester as a city,’ said Mrs Sue Lomas OBE.
Mrs Sue Loma OBE delivering her speech for the opening ceremony.
There is no doubt that an event of this scale exhibits the cultural confidence of the local Chinese communities and Cheng International, as well as our passion for strengthening our ties with the wider local UK society.
As Mayor Paul Dennett puts it, ‘This exciting event is bringing water sports back to Salford in a celebration of Chinese culture and history, highlighting our strong links regionally, nationally, and internationally with the Chinese people.’
Salford Mayor Paul Dennett delivering his speech for the opening ceremony.
Since our establishment, Cheng International has always been devoted to bringing Chinese Baijiu and its associated traditions to the UK. By taking part in the 2022 UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival, we stayed true to our visions, and brought new life to our missions in the post-pandemic UK, where cultural exchanges are again at the heart of our daily lives.
Fenjiu team at the Fenjiu Pavilion.
Rickie Ren, International Business Development Director at Cheng International, presenting the medal and Fenjiu present to the winning team.
The 10th anniversary of the UK Chinese Dragon Boat Festival this year also coincides with the 30th anniversary of Shanxi Xinghua Cun Fenjiu International Trade Limited Co. Our Fenjiu Team recorded their warmest congratulations to this special occasion:▼
As our International Business Development Director Rickie Ren said ——
