The Kinmen County Government announced in Taipei on May 6 that the 13th Kinmen-Xiamen Cross-Strait Open Water Swimming Relay will take place on July 26. The event will feature teams of two swimmers competing in a relay format, aiming to select 100 teams—200 participants in total—from both sides of the strait, Hong Kong, Macau, and overseas. The competition will be divided into three categories: Men’s Group A, Men’s Group B, and Women’s Group.
The Kinmen-Xiamen swim has been held since 2009, alternating between the two sides. This year, swimmers will start from Shuangkou Beach in Lieyu Township, Kinmen, and swim toward Yesfeng Village in Xiamen, covering a distance of approximately 7 kilometers.
During a press conference in Taipei, Kinmen Deputy Magistrate Chen Xiangfu expressed that the enduring cross-regional nature of the swimming event is a significant achievement. “The Kinmen-Xiamen waters were once a battlefield, but through swimming, we have transformed them into a bridge of peace between the two sides. We hope peace continues, turning this sea area into a platform for cross-strait exchanges,” he said.
The Kinmen County Government also introduced the 23rd Kinmen Open Water Swim, scheduled for July 25 at Xishan Lake Park Beach in Lieyu Township. The Kinmen Sports Association noted that this year’s event will include special onshore activities, allowing participants and their families to enjoy the festivities after the race.
