Each summer, a dragon boat crafted in Hangzhou, the capital of East China’s Zhejiang province, returns to Boston’s Charles River as a symbol of enduring ties between the two cities. Painted in the distinctive blue-green hue of Hangzhou’s West Lake and adorned with the emblem of the city and the iconic Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, the boat is more than a vessel for traditional dragon boat racing. It represents the sister-city relationship forged between Hangzhou and Boston decades ago, one of the earliest such partnerships between China and the United States.

This connection can be traced back to Leslie Swartz, co-founder of the Boston Dragon Boat Festival, who in the late 1970s introduced the sport and cultural event to Boston. Swartz, then an adviser to the Boston Children’s Museum with a keen interest in Chinese culture, visited Hangzhou in 1982 and helped establish the sister-city link. Swartz has emphasized that the relationship transcends diplomatic formalities, rooted instead in a shared cultural and historical affinity: both cities hold strong connections to water and possess rich traditions in education, literature, and intellectual life.

This foundation has fostered ongoing educational exchanges, with new generations from both cities gaining firsthand experience of each other’s cultures and societies. In May, Richard Chang, head of Josiah Quincy Upper School in Boston, led 18 students on a visit to Hangzhou. The students encountered a vibrant, modern city centered around Zhejiang University and advanced technology sectors, including artificial intelligence firms like DeepSeek. Their exposure to Hangzhou challenged preconceived notions shaped by media portrayals, offering a more nuanced understanding of the city and its people.

Chang highlighted a defining moment when students engaged with actors portraying historical figures such as Su Dongpo, a Song Dynasty poet closely associated with Hangzhou. Such immersive cultural experiences made the city’s history tangible and fostered a deeper sense of shared humanity.

The exchange was reciprocated this summer by Zhejiang University students studying at Boston University. Visitors noted the presence of dragon boat races on the Charles River and discussions about Hangzhou-based companies like Alibaba and DeepSeek, reflecting ongoing cultural and technological links. Zhejiang University students also praised the open, collaborative learning environment at Boston University, underscoring the benefits of cross-cultural academic engagement.

These individual and academic connections have in some cases evolved into broader institutional partnerships. Boston-based financial services firm State Street maintains a major technology and operations hub in Hangzhou, an initiative that originated from early friendships developed in the 1980s between Zhejiang University faculty and a Boston technology executive who later joined the company. In 2001, State Street and Zhejiang University jointly established a technology center in Hangzhou, which has since expanded to employ over 4,800 people and engage in talent development, training, and community initiatives.

Liu Guozhu, director of the Centre for American Studies at Zhejiang University, stressed the importance of people-to-people exchanges in sustaining China-US relations, even amid political tensions. Such interactions, particularly among young people, build goodwill and trust through shared interests like music, sports, technology, and social media.

Currently, 138 sister-school partnerships link Hangzhou with US schools, increasing opportunities for cultural and educational exchange. Following their May visit, the Josiah Quincy Upper School students are set to return to Hangzhou next spring, continuing a cycle of engagement that reflects a commitment to mutual understanding.

Looking ahead, 2029 will mark the 50th anniversary of both the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States and the Boston Dragon Boat Festival, the first event of its kind in the US. For Swartz, the milestone will be a moment to celebrate how a cultural tradition has bridged continents and generations, fostering enduring connections between Hangzhou and Boston along the banks of the Charles River.