TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The upcoming Kinmen-Xiamen Strait Crossing Swim has been canceled due to its association with China-backed propaganda and "united front" influence operations.
Kinmen County Deputy Magistrate Li Wen-liang (李文良) said at a press conference on Tuesday that he had yet to receive entry permits from Chinese participants for the 7-kilometer Kinmen-Xiamen swim. This led him to call off the event, which was scheduled for July 26, per CNA.
Li said the lack of entry permits led him to "regretfully announce the event cannot continue." He said the swim, held annually for more than a decade, has grown in popularity and will be an economic loss for Kinmen.
Despite the impact on tourism, Lin said he respects the central government's decision not to issue permits to Chinese swimmers. This year's swim had come under question due to affiliations with China's "united front," a political strategy to enlist groups and individuals that are sympathetic to the CCP.
Li said this year's swim was to be hosted by China, and an entry permit was required for Chinese swimmers to enter Kinmen's waters. Li added that the Sports Administration had yet to approve or reject such applications, preventing any appeals or further administrative processes.
When asked by the media whether he worried about the future of the event, Li said that there was no sign from the government that it could not take place in the future. He added that the county government will continue to communicate with the central government about the future of the swimming event.
The Kinmen-Xiamen swim has been held since 2009. Each year, the event alternates the starting and end points, with one year swimmers departing from Kinmen and arriving in Xiamen, while the following year traveling from Xiamen to Kinmen.
In 2017, the swim was suspended for one year as a BRICS Summit was held in Xiamen. The COVID pandemic led the event to be suspended for three years from 2020 to 2022.
Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑), speaking at a press conference on July 3, said the swimming event was a Chinese united front activity and not just a sports event. He said the central government would handle the event appropriately.
Liang added that frequent incursions into Kinmen's restricted waters by Chinese coast guard ships beginning last year have been an increased burden. Thus, Taiwan's Coast Guard may not have the resources to ensure the safety of swimmers.