Hualien Launches 2025 Pacific Int'l Dragon Boat Festival

(中央社訊息服務20250711 13:58:17)The 2025 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival is set to take place from October 24 to 26 at the scenic Liyu Lake. This major international sporting event will welcome over 200 teams from countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Qatar, Hong Kong, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. Hualien County Government officially kicked off the countdown with a press conference today (July 9) in the county’s Auditorium. County Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei warmly invited athletes from around the world to gather at Liyu Lake in October for a thrilling celebration of sports and culture.

Mayor Hsu emphasized that dragon boat racing holds a special place in Hualien’s sports culture. Local athletes have proudly represented Taiwan, winning medals at major events such as the Asian Games in Jakarta. She expressed gratitude to the Hualien County Sports Association, the Department of Education, and all sports professionals for their dedication. With strong support from the Sports Administration of the Ministry of Education, Hualien successfully secured the hosting rights for the 2026 CCWC(Club Crew World Championships), putting Hualien firmly on the global sports map.

She also highlighted that the annual international dragon boat races were originally envisioned under the forward-thinking leadership of former County Mayor Fu Kun-Chi. These races have transformed Liyu Lake into a global gathering point for dragon boat teams, creating not only a sports event but also a platform for cultural exchange and tourism promotion.

Lai Ching-Ting, Senior Specialist of the Sports Administration, commended the efforts of the Hualien County Government, the Hualien County Sports Association, and the Dragon Boat Association in organizing the 2025 Festival, noting its contributions to national sports development. She also wished the participating athletes outstanding performances.

Deputy Speaker of the Hualien County Council, Hsu Hsueh-Yu, noted the growing number of international sports events held in Hualien in recent years and extended a warm welcome to global visitors. She encouraged travelers to explore all 13 townships and cities in Hualien and experience its rich local culture.

During the press conference, Mayor Hsu offered words of encouragement to Hualien athletes who will represent Taiwan in July and August at the IDBF (International Dragon Boat Federation) in Germany and the World Games in Chengdu, urging them to shine on the world stage once again. She also presented awards to outstanding athletes in recognition of their hard work and achievements across various competitions.

Looking ahead, Hualien is gearing up to host two major international sporting events in 2026: the ICG International Children’s Games and the CCWC. These events are expected to draw tens of thousands of participants and visitors, propelling Hualien’s dual development in sports and tourism to new heights. The 2025 Hualien Pacific International Dragon Boat Festival will feature races over 200m, 500m, and 2000m distances. With more than 200 teams and nearly 4,000 participants expected, this year’s competition will also serve as a full-scale rehearsal for the 2026 CCWC, showcasing Hualien’s world-class capabilities in event organization.

Today’s press conference was attended by a distinguished roster of guests, including Sports Administration Senior Specialist Lai Ching-Ting, Deputy Speaker of the County Council Hsu Hsueh-Yu, Council Members Dibus Ilai, Wu Tung-Sheng, Han Lin-Mei, Lin Cheng-Fu, and Chin Shu-Min, Legislative Yuan Representative Fu Kun-Chi’s Office Director Wang Yi-Fang, Hualien County Education Director-General Weng Shu-Min, Chinese Taipei Dragon Boat Association President Wang Chin-Te, Head Coach of the 2025 IDBF Hou Hung-Chang, as well as numerous principals, local representatives, and township officials.