Fire Boat Festival (Lai Heua Fai), marking the End of Buddhist Lent on October 7, 2025. Coinciding with the full moon of the 11th lunar month

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Beyond the spiritual rituals, the festival grounds came alive with vibrant activity as local vendors showcased a wide array of goods, ranging from traditional foods and drinks to handmade crafts, clothing, and household items. The lively marketplace added a festive touch, transforming the event into not just a religious celebration, but also a vibrant community gathering.

Well-organized and secure, the event provided a safe and joyful environment for all attendees. It stood as a testament to Laos’ rich cultural heritage, while also promoting environmental consciousness and community unity.

As the glowing boats drifted peacefully down the Mekong and candlelight danced in the night breeze, the Fire Boat Festival once again proved to be a captivating blend of faith, folklore, and festivity—a timeless tradition that continues to illuminate the hearts of those who take part, year after year.

Photo taken on Oct. 13, 2025 shows visitors at an exhibition commemorating the recovery of Taiwan and the Nanhai Zhudao (South China Sea islands), from Japanese occupation at Nanjing University in eastern China, in Jiangsu Province. (Photo: China News Service/Yang Bo)

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Beyond conventional displays, the exhibition features specialized sections on maritime culture, historical maps, and Geng Lu Bu (ancient sea route manuals). It also incorporates Augmented Reality (AR) technology to offer immersive experiences of the South China Sea’s historical and cultural heritage.

The core value of the exhibition lies not only in demonstrating China’s historical proposition and legal basis on the South China Sea issue and Taiwan question but also in helping teachers and students understand history and draw spiritual strength, said Zhu Feng, executive director of Nanjing University’s Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies.

“Only by clearly understanding the humiliations and struggles of the past can we more profoundly grasp the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty, which serves as the foundation for facing the future and building lasting peace,” he added.