Local Communist Officials Destroy 1,000 Dragon Boats

The Epoch Times
May 28, 2006

Fearful of public gatherings, officials ban dragon boat festival

The Dragon Boat Festival (May 31) has a long history in Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province, China. The boat race commemorates the great patriotic poet, Qu Yuan (about BC 340-277) in China. However, the local communist authorities worried that the activity might attract too many people in one place. Allegedly fearful that such a large group of people might cause accidents or conflicts, the local communist regime banned the race by cutting in half about 1,000 dragon boats.

The action was revealed by a government official who participated in the plan but wanted to remain anonymous. The destruction caused many complaints from villagers.

According to Tengxun News Net and Apple Daily, Yuehu Security sub-bureau in Yingtan City, Jiangxi Province recently made this statement: "In order to build a new rural village under socialism, the authorities prohibited people from making or buying any materials relating to dragon boats through collecting money or donations."

The authorities also said that because "the location does not conform to security conditions," and the dragon boat racing activity may seriously affect social order, the authorities decided to completely ban the celebration.

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