The 2025 Jinji Lake Dragon Boat Race attracted 69 teams consisting of 1,502 people, including seven teams formed by expatriates from 13 countries and regions. The open, inclusive facet of SIP was fully manifested.

The dragon boat team of Victoria, Canada returned to the race after their debut in 2019. As sister cities, Victoria and Suzhou have deepened friendship through dragon boat racing.

“Compared to my last visit, the park has delivered more delightful surprises. It is more modern, with more new buildings. And the people are as hospitable as before, making me feel at home again,” said Kathrine May Panton, a member of the team.

The interaction between the dragon boat race on the Danube in Vienna, Austria and the Jinji Lake Dragon Boat Race, which started three years ago, will be deepened this year. The dragon boat team from Suzhou Youth Chamber of Commerce, the champion in last year’s dragon boat race on the Danube, will compete in the event again.