"The large-scale race is a good opportunity for all dragon boat paddlers, who are eager to learn from each other," said Zhang Yi, a senior dragon boat coach from Jimei University in Xiamen. The university offers optional courses in dragon boat paddling and kayaking.

He said that dragon boat teams from both sides of the Straits often join races together.

Colorful cultural activities are also held during the event, including a cross-Straits forum on the culture of the Dragon Boat Festival.

The 2022 Cross-Straits Dragon Boat Race is co-organized by the General Administration of Sport of China, China Movie Channel, the Dragon Boat Association, Fujian Provincial Bureau of Sports and the Xiamen government.

People can watch the sporting events and activities via livestreaming on China's major media outlets.