The 37th annual Boston Dragon Boat Festival was held on June 11-12,2016 in Boston,MA.Consul General Zhang Qiyue attended the opening ceremony with Ms. E. Denise Simmons,Mayor of Cambridge,MA and Mr. Leland Chung,Cambridge City Councilor and Ms. Melissa Ng, press officer of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York.

    This year's festival featured 69 teams competing in categories designated with special races and medals for the Colleges including Chinese University Alumni, Financial Institutions, Health Care, Women's, Club, Community and Recreational, and Cancer Survivors Divisions.

    Consul General Zhang was invited to dot the eyes of the racing boats,along with the other dignitaries. This is an ancient Chinese ceremony that is believed to enable the dragon to soar with the utmost power. During her remarks,Ms. Zhang highly commended Boston Dragon Boat Festivals had witnessed the establishment and rapid development of China-US relations since 1979 and it had also become a vehicle to promote Chinese culture and a chance to bring together diverse communities from Boston and surrounding areas.

    The opening ceremony was followed by various cultural programs and performances including traditional Chinese music and dance,Taichi demonstrations and some cultural workshops. Tens of thousands of people stood along Charles River to enjoy the boat races and festivities.