Group Photo of all the special guests presented in today's conference held in Pokhara. (Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

On the initiative of Nepal Tourism Board, Chinese Embassy in Nepal and Pokhara Municipality a second press conference has been organized at Nepal Tourism Board in Pokhara to inform about the dragon boat race that will be held on the 8th and 9th of June in Fewa lake in Pokhara. Pokhara Tourism Council and Overseas Chinese Association of Pokhara are co-organizers of the event.

Nepal-China Dragon Boat Festival to be held in June 23 and 24 by Nepal Tourism Board, Chinese Embassy in Nepal with others. (Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

Huaxin Cement, Hongshi Cement, Sichuan Airlines, Huawei, Kantipur Group House, Chaudhari Group, Dishhome have participated as sponsors of the program. Likewise, the program was supported by NMB Bank.

The CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Dr. Dhananjay Regmi delivering his speech during today's conference held in Pokhara. (Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

The CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Dr. Dhananjay Regmi in his speech imparted thanks to Chinese Embassy for the initiation of International flight on Pokhara International Airport on the occasion of Dragon Boat Race Festival for the first time in Nepal.

As the construction of Pokhara International Airport has been completed, this kind of program is expected to help invite foreigners to Pokhara contributing to the operation of international flights from the airport.

Wang Xin, Deputy General of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal giving his speech in today's Press Conference. (Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

Deputy General  Wang Xin of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal believes that this program will strengthen the mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, and that the organization of the China-Nepal Friendship Dragon Boat Race will allow more people to understand the culture of the dragon boat, thereby promoting the friendship through exchange of heritage and culture between China and Nepal.

Deputy General  Wang Xin of the Chinese Embassy in Nepal and CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Dr. Dhananjay Regmi shaking hands presenting the friendly cooperation between two people. (Photo: Bishal Shrestha, SATV)

The program is focused on deepening the people-to-people relations between the two countries and promoting harmony and warmth through cultural exchange in promoting Chinese tourism in Nepal. Dragon Boat Race Festival has been organized in more than eighty countries and regions, has been included in the Asian Games since this year. This program is the first of its kind in Pokhara and Nepal as well as in South Asia and it is expected to increase the visibility of Nepal worldwide. Preparations are being made to conduct the program annually supporting to bring diversity to the tourism products of Pokhara and Nepal as a whole.

A promotional video showing the deep cultural background of dragon boat was also presented. Also, the Chinese side demonstrated the process of making Chong za, a cultural Chinese dish, replicating a glimpse of Food Festival on the day of Dragon Boat Race Festival. Also, guests from Nepal were invited to join the process.

The program was formalized by a formal agreement signed on May 4, 2023 between the Nepal Tourism Board, the Embassy of the People's Republic of China and the Pokhara Metropolitan City.

120 contestants from all seven provinces of Nepal and China will participate in this festive competition. For the competition, eight special dragon boats from China, other required materials were brought to Pokhara for training and the Nepalese participants has started the practice of the competition for two hours every morning in the lake.

Organiser informed that the contestants from China will land Nepal in 19th of June for the program. The winning team would be awarded with medals, cash prize and certificate. 

 Among the program highlights, 8 teams from Nepal-China and Singapore will participate in the 200m and 500m races at Fewa Lake, followed by cultural performances and food exhibitions from both countries.

Pum Narayan Shrestha, Chairman of Pokhara Tourism Council, Dhananjay Regmi, CEO of Nepal Tourism Board, Wang Xin, Deputy Secretary General of Chinese Embassy, Motilal Timalsina, Spokesperson of Pokhara Metropolis and other journalists were present at the press conference.  

Some other glimpses of the Conference are: