First International Dragon Boat Regatta on Ice in Harbin

On January 10, 2026, Harbin, the famous "Ice City" in China, hosted a unique sporting event: the "HIT-Cambridge-Oxford" International Friendship Ice Dragon Boat Race. This event brought together 14 teams from Oxford, Cambridge, the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), and other prestigious universities in China, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The participants expressed their enthusiasm for this unique challenge. Edward Townsend, from Cambridge, noted the singular experience of paddling on a frozen river. Daniel Foran, from Oxford, emphasized the importance of teamwork and adapting to extreme conditions to successfully complete this unprecedented event.

Chen Jie of HIT described the event as a "bridge" for cultural dialogue between Chinese and British students. Alongside the competition, cultural activities reinforced these exchanges. This sporting initiative aims to promote cultural openness in higher education.