KUNMING, July 7 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese team won the mixed 200 meters in the fifth Asian Dragon Boat Championships on Saturday in Dali Bai Autonomous prefecture, a famous tourist city in southwest China's Yunnan Province.

The Philippines and Singapore were tied for the top of the medals tally with two gold medals apiece and China ranked third.

More than 200 paddlers from eight Asian countries and regions competed at the event.

In the men's 200 and 500 meters, the Philippines claimed their crowns after beating Thailand by 2.25 seconds and 2.48 seconds respectively.

Singapore prevailed in the women's 200m and 500m, followed by China and India respectively.

In mixed 500 meters, China finished just 0.96 seconds behind Myanmar, missing out on the title.

The Asian Championships has been held twice a year since 2010 and it is the first time that China hosts the event.

Organized by the Asian Canoe Confederation, the competition this year features six categories in 200 meter and 500 meter events.

More than 30 percent of residents in Dali are from the Bai ethnic group and the dragon boat race has been part of Bai culture for more than 1,000 years.

Dragon boat racing made its debut as an official event at the National Games in China in 2016 and by the end of 2017. It has been widely practiced in about 80 countries and regions.?