On August 16, 2024, the azure waters separating Taiwan's Kinmen Islands from China's Xiamen became the stage for an unprecedented swim race. Liu Xi Jiu, a swimmer from Beijing, prepared to embark on a grueling seven-kilometre journey across one of the world’s most politically charged stretches of water. This event, the only one of its kind, sought to transcend the geopolitical tensions that have long marked relations between Taiwan and China.
The Kinmen Islands, situated off Taiwan’s southeastern coast, are a historical crossroads of conflict and cooperation. The islands, which were once part of China's Fujian Province, have witnessed numerous political upheavals since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. In the decades following, Kinmen became a frontline of the conflict between Taipei and Beijing, experiencing frequent shelling until 1979. The legacy of these turbulent times is still visible in the form of military relics scattered across the island.
Despite this turbulent history, the swim race represents a rare opportunity for cross-strait harmony. The event has drawn 200 athletes from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau, all converging on Kinmen’s golden shores. As they prepared for the demanding 90-minute swim, a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose emerged, momentarily overshadowing the tense political climate that characterizes the region.
The recent history between Taiwan and China has been marked by frequent incidents, including a deadly clash in February 2024 between Taiwanese coastguards and a Chinese fishing vessel in Kinmen’s waters. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of two Chinese fishermen, exacerbated existing tensions and prompted a heightened presence of the Chinese Coast Guard in the area. Such incidents have made the task of local fishermen, like Lu Wen Shiung, increasingly perilous, with reports of Chinese vessels frequently encroaching on Taiwanese waters.
Amid these heightened tensions, the swim race is seen as a beacon of potential reconciliation. The event's organizers, including Taiwan's Straits Exchange Foundation and local Kinmen authorities, hope to use this occasion to foster goodwill and demonstrate the possibility of peaceful interaction. The SEF, tasked with facilitating cross-strait exchanges, has been instrumental in promoting cooperation, including a recent agreement to repatriate the bodies of the deceased Chinese fishermen.
The athletes themselves, like Liu Xi Jiu, view the race as more than just a competitive event. For many, it is a symbol of what can be achieved when people from different sides of a geopolitical divide come together for a common purpose. Liu, who hopes that this event will demonstrate the potential for peaceful resolutions, emphasizes the role of sports in bridging divides. The race not only highlights the athletes' endurance but also their shared aspiration for harmony.
As the swimmers dive into the waves, the Kinmen Islands stand as a poignant reminder of both past conflicts and current hopes for reconciliation. The race’s success in fostering positive cross-strait relations could pave the way for further collaborative efforts, demonstrating that even amidst significant geopolitical tensions, moments of unity and cooperation are possible.
