As night falls, the newly upgraded standard illuminated basketball court in Xiajie Village, Dongcheng Town, Linhai City, Taizhou, Zhejiang, buzzes with energy—the sounds of dribbling, cheering, and laughter blending into a vibrant symphony. Over recent days, the third edition of the 2026 Dongcheng Town "Village BA" tournament has been in full swing, with two teams standing out from the crowd: "Niubie Hotpot Team" and "Pioneers of Zhejiang." These squads are composed of young migrant workers from various ethnic backgrounds, including Dong, Miao, and Buyi communities.

More than just a rural sports spectacle, this village basketball tournament serves as a powerful bond fostering ethnic unity and integration. A photo shows a player from the red-jerseyed "Niubie Hotpot Team" taking a shot during a game.

Dongcheng Town, renowned as the "Hometown of Chinese Festival Lanterns," is home to approximately 20,000 migrant workers. A significant number of ethnic minority compatriots have settled here, working in lantern enterprises and shared prosperity workshops, becoming an indispensable force in the local industry. Previously, many young ethnic minority workers led a monotonous routine, shuttling between factories and dormitories, with limited interaction with local residents and a weak sense of belonging.

To address this, the Dongcheng Town government expanded the "Village BA" recruitment scope, actively inviting migrant workers from local enterprises to form teams and participate. This year, a group of ethnic minority youths teamed up on a whim, naming their squad after the local delicacy "Niubie Hotpot" to represent the new Dongcheng residents striving far from home on the court.

On the court, players from "Niubie Hotpot Team" and "Pioneers of Zhejiang" sprinted and coordinated with默契, showcasing a spirited and uplifting demeanor. Off the court, local villagers spontaneously cheered them on, and many stayed after games to chat warmly with players, sharing stories about their lives and work anecdotes.

Liao Ting, a player from the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou, has worked in lantern processing in Dongcheng for years. He reflected, "When I first arrived, I only knew fellow townsfolk. Through basketball, I've made many local friends. Now, people greet me on the street."

In recent years, Dongcheng Town has leveraged the reality of its large ethnic minority workforce in the lantern industry to advance ethnic integration comprehensively. For instance, the local Dongxidan Primary School serves as a core "Pomegranate Red" campus hub, developing distinctive school-based curricula based on its multi-ethnic student body, organizing cross-regional cloud partnerships, and celebrating traditional festivals together.

This year's "Village BA" also featured convenience service booths around the courts, providing information on employment assistance, children's schooling, medical insurance, and social security for migrant workers—bringing essential services directly to new residents.

A Dongcheng Town official stated that, moving forward, they will continue utilizing standard basketball courts across villages, regularly hosting friendly matches and fun sports events. These efforts aim to bring people of all ethnicities together in competition and interaction, ensuring every new resident finds a sense of belonging and happiness, and painting a beautiful rural picture where diverse communities live, learn, work, and celebrate together.