China - June 19, 2026 (CCTV - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of video clips of China Media Group's special program to mark Dragon Boat Festival showing ancient buildings, actor, recitation of ancient "Shangshu"
2. Various of video clips of special program showing dragon boat racing across China

China Media Group (CMG) aired a special program on Friday evening to mark the Duanwu Festival, also known as the Dragon Boat Festival.

Broadcast on CMG's multiple platforms and featuring micro documentaries, the special program has four main parts which were inspired by four sequences of the dragon boat folk customs: Qi Long (dragon awakening), Zhao Jing (villages exchanging invitations for gathering of dragon boats), dragon boat racing, and returning to the shore.

In the time-honored ritual of Qi Long, or dragon awakening, villagers unearth wooden dragon boats that were buried in river silt, clean them, repaint them, and prepare them for racing. It's more than a practical task, but also a spiritual awakening that honors ancestors, prays for good fortune, and signals the return of a thrilling spectacle in summer.

The special program started with a recitation of an excerpt from ancient "Shangshu", one of China's earliest compilations of historical documents.

Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, the festival fell on Friday this year.

Its signature tradition -- dragon boat racing -- dates back over 2,000 years. Today, the racing reflects teamwork, courage, and perseverance, while also serving as a cultural tradition and global sport that bring communities together.