On February 24, 2018, the Southern Hemisphere's largest boat race—the Sydney Lunar New Year Dragon Boat Races—kicked off in spectacular fashion at Darling Harbour. Year after year, the event attracts more than 3,000 competitors from across Australia, all vying for the championship of this premier dragon boat competition!

The dragon boat races ran for two consecutive days, with competitors passionately giving their all and battling for supremacy under Sydney's scorching summer sun.

Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore believes that, whether taking part in person or cheering from the sidelines, dragon boat racing is a wonderful way for people of all ages to celebrate the New Year. Seeing this time-honoured Chinese folk tradition unfold so energetically on the waters of Darling Harbour is truly exhilarating! Sydney's Lunar New Year celebrations are the largest of their kind outside Asia, and the dragon boat races are the biggest on-water competition in the Southern Hemisphere—a source of great pride for the people of Sydney.

The Pacific Dragon Team, sponsored by KVB Kunlun, gets ready to strive for the top

The day began with a water blessing ceremony. Special guests used calligraphy brushes to dot the eyes of the dragon boats on the shore and offer prayers for the races, wishing the competitors a safe return. Amid the thunderous drums of the lion dance performance, the races were about to begin.

Twenty-two team members, a 12-metre dragon boat, and competitors powering forward

Throughout the races, we witnessed a team spirit of pressing forward against the waves and never giving up

In the end, the "Pacific Dragon Team" sponsored by KVB Kunlun achieved an impressive result, finishing runner-up in the women's division

We sincerely wish the KVB Kunlun dragon boat team even greater success at next year's event!

This marks the fifth consecutive year that KVB Kunlun has sponsored this major Lunar New Year folk celebration in Australia, an event that generates great enthusiasm within Sydney's Chinese community each year. Drawing on the spirit of perseverance, determination, and unity embodied by the dragon boat races, KVB Kunlun continues to provide high-quality financial products and services to investors and corporate clients at home and abroad. In 2018, we will keep breaking new ground, striving for outstanding results, and writing a new chapter of success!