A swimming event across the Haitan Strait in Pingtan county, Fujian province, was held on July 19.

A swimming event across the Haitan Strait is held in Pingtan, Fujian province, on July 19. [Photo/pingtan.gov.cn]

Eight teams of 126 swimmers from Fujian and Taiwan participated in the event and swam a distance of 5 kilometers over about two hours.

The event started at 11:10 am. Yu Feng finished first, with a time of less than one hour. The last one finished at 1:03 pm.

The swimming event was a challenge, according to Yang Zhe’an from Taiwan, adding that the current deflected him in the wrong direction at one point. “But seeing the banner at the finish line that read, ‘Welcome Taiwan Compatriots,’ really gave me strength,” he said.

Yang hoped there will be more Taiwan people coming over to be part of such events, which can definitely boost the cross-Straits relationship.

Another swimming event crossing the Taiwan Straits is around the corner, slated for Aug 2. It will likely be a swimming relay starting from Taiwan’s Hsinchu and ending at Pingtan about 68 nautical miles away, sources said.