Tasting zongzi, making sachets, dragon boat races… As one of the four traditional Chinese festivals, the Dragon Boat Festival is like a ribbon that connects history and the present, embodying the historical traditions, values, and cultural identity of the Chinese nation.
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Throughout the long history, the Chinese nation has formed a great national spirit and an outstanding traditional culture. This forms the cultural gene of the Chinese nation that is vibrant and robust, and is also a spiritual force for realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, which must be carried forward and promoted with current realities.”
The enduring patriotism encapsulated in the aroma of zongzi melds into the spiritual veins of the Chinese nation, shining with new splendor in the new era.
——Passionate and profound patriotism
As the Dragon Boat Festival approaches, commemorating Qu Yuan. “My loving heart, unabated even in death, leaves no regrets.” The deep patriotism of the great poet Qu Yuan continues to resonate with people even after thousands of years.
“Sincerity and valor with militarism, the ultimate strength cannot be bent. Though physically dead, the spirit endures, becoming a heroic soul.” On September 3, 2014, during the symposium commemorating the 69th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, General Secretary Xi Jinping quoted Qu Yuan’s famous saying to commend the Chinese people’s bravery and resilience in overcoming hardships, expressing an epic spirit of heroism.
In the memorial garden of Quzi, Hunan, lies the statue of Qu Yuan.
Patriotism is the most natural and purest emotion of the Chinese sons and daughters, deeply rooted in the veins of the Chinese nation.
At this year’s National Two Sessions, General Secretary Xi Jinping remarked during the CPPCC group discussion: “We must firmly grip education and cultivate patriotism from an early age.”“The people we aim to cultivate should first be loyal to the Party, the country, the people, and socialism.”
Several months later, on April 29, during an inspection in the “Model Speed Space” large model innovation ecosystem community in Shanghai, General Secretary Xi Jinping had a cordial exchange with young innovators, emphasizing again the significance of patriotism: “Everyone should nurture a heart of love for the country, develop an ambition to serve the country, increase the ability to strengthen the country, closely link personal struggle with the nation’s path and destiny, run the historical relay race well, and radiate the splendid youth on the broad stage of promoting Chinese modernization.”
For every Chinese person, patriotism is a fundamental duty, tied to the heart and rooted in emotions and belonging.
In campuses across the northern and southern Tianshan Mountains, large groups of volunteers from the Western Plan teams, veteran teachers, “group-type” education support talents, and college student teaching support teams take to the podium to educate the frontier, igniting countless children’s future dreams with the seeds of education.
On the stage of rural revitalization, along the lines of scientific research, in every ordinary post, the fiery and profound patriotism allows personal ideals to resonate with the times, pouring continuous power into the rejuvenation of the nation.
— The courage to move forward is the spirit of the nation.
These days, dragon boat races have started nationwide, with team members vigorously paddling and pushing forward. The spirit exhibited by the Chinese in celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival and racing dragon boats is one of bravery and determination.
“There are no impossible things, you must have this kind of spirit, just as Qu Yuan said ‘The road is long and winding, I will seek it at the top and bottom.'” General Secretary Xi Jinping has often quoted this famous phrase by Qu Yuan, inspiring and encouraging all Party members and people of all ethnic groups in the country to brave the wind and rain and move forward courageously.
► On May 24, 2025, at the second National Fitness Games Dragon Boat Challenge in Xiong’an New Area, Hebei, 14 dragon boat teams from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, with nearly 300 athletes, cut through the waves in a straight-track speed race.
Since the beginning of this year, domestic large models like DeepSeek have accelerated empowerment across various industries; in the first four months, China’s automobile production and sales exceeded 10 million for the first time; the successful hosting of events like humanoid robot marathon and robotic fighting competition not only proved the technical maturity of domestic humanoid robots but also showcased the commercial potential of robotic competitions… With strong resilience and determination, we firmly grasp the initiative in development, riding the wind, and standing bravely at the forefront.
Looking across the vast expanse of the great rivers north and south, the industries are driven by the vitality of upward growth and the magnificent momentum of a burgeoning great nation.
Currently, the ’14th Five-Year Plan’ is nearing completion, and the ’15th Five-Year Plan’ is gaining momentum. Not long ago, during an inspection in Henan, General Secretary Xi Jinping spoke about the five-year plan, saying: ‘This is practically a unique feature of China. We base our plans on thorough investigation and research, propose comprehensive and systematic plans that respect public opinion and align with reality, and implement these plans with extremely strong execution.’
This continuation of struggle through five-year plans not only highlights the historical responsibility of ‘success does not have to be mine’ but also demonstrates the strategic resolve of ‘seeing the blueprint through to the end.’
Staying determined in our goals and united in our efforts, unafraid of the storm, courageously marching forward, we carry forward the national spirit embodied in thousands of years of dragon boat competition, making constant and innovative progress in the development of the times.
——A cultural foundation flowing from a distant source
Young people making zongzi, racing dragon boats, and hanging sachets, while children recite ancient poems—this is how the sense of ritual of the Dragon Boat Festival is passed down through generations. Finding the connection point between traditional culture and modern life, the Dragon Boat Festival is reviving with new vitality.
On the morning of May 21, in Chengdu, Sichuan, the air was filled with the fragrance of rice dumplings. A festival event themed “United in Heart and Dream, Celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival Together” kicked off with great fanfare.
“In Taiwan, it’s common to use peanut powder in rice dumplings; I never expected Chengdu’s spicy meat dumplings to be so unique!” A Taiwanese youth and companions laughed and discussed the regional differences in rice dumplings while exchanging dumpling-making techniques.
During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, Beijing launched over 1700 activities, including the “Xiangshan Marvelous Night,” the Dragon Boat Invitational at “Jiuzhou Competition” in Yuanmingyuan, and the Pinggu District’s Temple Fair and Fragrance Culture Festival. The festive atmosphere was “fully filled,” with traditional crafts and folk activities heating up the cultural tourism industry.
In the Quyuan Ancient District, the elements of the Dragon Boat Festival have been woven into a thriving modern industry chain: within the non-heritage workshop, embroiderers are busy creating exquisite three-dimensional embroidery inspired by the poetry of “Chu Ci”; along the banks of Jiuyan Stream, tourists come to Quyuan’s Land of Orchids to experience the unique charm of Quyuan culture; on the newly constructed commercial street of Jiugge Alley, the architecture of the Chu style reflects modern commerce, providing tourists with a fresh cultural tourism experience.
“Modernization in China cannot be separated from the inheritance and promotion of excellent traditional culture.” Rooted in the land of China, we invigorate the life force of outstanding traditional culture with contemporary spirit, gathering great strength to forge ahead.
(Source: CCTV News)
