The race also attracted some 380 local competitors. Local and foreign racers were divided into separate groups.

A total of 28,000 local residents and visitors watched the event on the banks of the Haihe River, according to organizers.

In addition to the boat race, 50 foreign students and teachers from Tianjin Foreign Studies University and the Tianjin University of Technology and Education were invited to join an event at TFSU organized by the Tianjin People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.