HARBIN, China, Jan. 12, 2026 — On January 10, Harbin—known as China’s “Ice City”—hosted the inaugural “HIT-Cambridge-Oxford Cup” Ice Dragon Boat International Friendship Race. Fourteen teams took part, representing the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), other C9 League universities, and institutions from Hong Kong and Macao, in this thrilling competition.
Edward Townsend, a Cambridge student, exclaimed with wind-reddened cheeks and bright eyes after the intense race: “This is incredible! In the UK, the lowest temperature is around -5°C, but here it’s over -20°C. At first, we had no idea about ice dragon boating, but it’s more than just physical; it’s a test of teamwork. We’ve rowed on the River Cam, but this is our first time racing dragon boats on ice in China.”
Daniel Foran from Oxford observed: “The biggest challenge is the technique difference. Ice dragon boating tests your core and upper body, while water rowing is more about the legs. But this challenge brought us closer as a team, and the HIT coaches were incredibly supportive, showing us how to use our strength effectively.”
Na Boshi, an HIT student competing in his third ice dragon boat race, reflected: “Ice dragon boating has really shown me how sports can bring the world closer, making distance feel almost irrelevant. In the past, the event was mainly an opportunity to connect with students and faculty from other C9 universities in China. This year, however, it felt even more exciting, as we welcomed teams from Oxford, Cambridge, and universities in Hong Kong and Macao. HIT’s athletic programmes are becoming increasingly international, creating an incredible platform for cultural exchange and mutual learning.”
Chen Jie, HIT Party Secretary, stated: “In Chinese culture, the dragon boat symbolises unity, progress, and excellence, values that resonate with the British ideals of courage, courtesy, and responsibility. Although China and the UK are at opposite ends of the Eurasian continent, this event bridges Oxford and Cambridge’s century-old rowing tradition with HIT’s engineering legacy and fosters cultural understanding between our youth.”
Alongside the competition, participants enjoyed rich cultural exchanges, visiting Harbin Ice-Snow World, feeding Siberian tigers up close, tasting traditional Northeast Chinese cuisine, and exploring the century-old Chinese Baroque district. These immersive activities offered international students a fresh and deeper perspective on China.
For HIT, a leading engineering university in China, hosting the event signified more than a sporting competition; it represented an initiative to explore new avenues for internationalizing higher education amid today’s complex global landscape.
Source: Harbin Institute of Technology
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