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China prepares for Dragon Boat Festival
The whole country is in a festive mood, as this year's Dragon Boat Festival draws nearer. The festival falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, to commemorate a patriotic poet who lived more than 2,000 years ago. This year the festival falls on Thursday.
Dragon boat races are the most exciting part of the festival.
In the southern city of Zhuhai, a competition even attracts teams from abroad.
Altogether, more than 400 athletes competed in the race.
And in the coastal city of Xiamen, this race is between teams from each side of the Taiwan Straits, bring extra meaning to the competition.
Taiwan team leader said, "We've been actively participating in sports competitions between two sides of the Straits. Through that, I think communications between us can become closer."
There are more in other places of the country. All of them are drawing crowds of spectators.
Besides the sweaty celebrations, people will mark the festival with other traditions.
That include making sachets, and eating rice dumplings.
Rice dumplings with fancy packaging used to be popular gifts during the festival.
But this year, those costing several hundred yuan are attracting few customers. Some haven't even made it to the supermarket shelves.
Work of Hebei Jinyuan Supermarket said, "Such rice dumplings wouldn't make a profit in short term, so we didn't have them. "
When it comes to traditional festivals like the Dragon Boat Fesival, for many, the original meaning and spirit of the celebration is the most important thing to remember.
