Taizhou shipbuilder donates dragon boats to Chinese consulate in Cape Town

Dragon boats built by Suhang Shipbuilding in Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu province. [Photo/Suhang Shipbuilding]

Jiangsu Suhang Shipbuilding Group recently donated two dragon boats to the Chinese Consulate General in Cape Town, South Africa, with a launch ceremony held in Zhuhong town, Xinghua, Taizhou, Jiangsu province, on Sept 2.

The two boats, each 15.6 meters long and worth a total of 48,000 yuan ($6,726.37), were crafted using a blend of traditional methods and modern technology. They are expected to arrive in Cape Town by sea before October.

Wooden boatbuilding in Zhuhong, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907), was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage item in 2008.

Suhang Shipbuilding, a Xinghua-based private enterprise, specializes in making traditional dragon boats, aluminum alloy vessels, new-energy ships, and sightseeing boats, accounting for over 50 percent of China's tourist boat market. In 2024, the company's sales exceeded 300 million yuan.

Company chairman Ding Song said he learned in June that the consulate needed dragon boats for exhibitions and racing events. He immediately decided to donate two boats and cover the $8,000 shipping cost, calling it a valuable opportunity to promote Chinese culture abroad.