With China's Dragon Boat Festival approaching, nearly 800 international students from universities in the Yangtze River Delta region participated in a dragon boat race in Shanghai on Saturday.

Held at Fengxian Campus of East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), the race marked the third edition of the Yangtze River Delta International Students Dragon Boat Race, featuring 33 teams from universities across Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region, including Fudan University, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, and Zhejiang University.

More than 790 students from 102 countries participated under the theme "Paddling Through Culture, Embracing the Dragon Boat Festival".

In the 200-meter mixed-gender sprint races, Shanghai Normal University clinched first place after fierce competition, followed by Jiangsu University of Science and Technology and Fudan University.

"The training is tough but incredibly rewarding," said Yulin, captain of the Shanghai Normal University team and a French student. "It has deepened my understanding of the Dragon Boat Festival and fostered precious teamwork and friendship through the race."

"This event has grown into one of the most influential annual sporting events for international students in Shanghai and the Yangtze River Delta region," said Shen Haitao, deputy secretary of the CPC Committee of ECUST. "We hope that international students will better understand China through this dragon boat race, building strong bonds of friendship and contributing their youthful energy to promoting cultural exchange," he added.

Li Xiaopeng, also from ECUST, said, "Since 2008, this dragon boat race has become a key platform to showcase traditional Chinese culture and international students' spirit. Its influence continues to grow."

Fei Xinyao contributed to this story.