News Reference Material
Date: July 16, 2023
On the evening of July 15, 2023, Director-General Chang Chang of the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Department of Cultural and Educational Affairs attended the "Kinmen-Xiamen Strait Crossing Swim," an open-water swimming contest hosted by the Kinmen County Government. Director-General Chang joined Director-General Cheng Shih-Chung of the Sports Administration under the Ministry of Education in awarding and encouraging the top-three long-distance swimmers in their respective categories. Officials of mainland Chinese sports agencies also shared the stage during award presentation.
The "Kinmen-Xiamen Strait Crossing Swim," held again this year on July 15 after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was the first large-scale cross-Strait sports exchange event following the pandemic. Given the three-year-long pandemic, the government believed that sports events would have a positive impact on the physical and mental well-being of the public, provide opportunities for athletes to showcase their unflagging sportsmanship, and most importantly, serve as an inspiration for society in the post-pandemic era. The MAC therefore fully supported the Kinmen County Government in organizing the event. The MAC collaborated with the relevant competent authorities to expedite the review process for mainland Chinese contestants and other personnel to enter Kinmen; furthermore, it coordinated with relevant authorities to give case-by-case permission for round-trip travel between Kinmen and Xiamen via the Mini-three-links for event participants from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao.
The MAC stated that the government has always maintained a positive attitude towards healthy and orderly cross-Strait exchange activities that accord with the principles of parity and dignity. As all sectors show support for and welcome the friendly interactions in cross-Strait sports exchanges, the MAC hopes that they will also promote what is long upheld in sports competitions: the spirit of peace free from political interference. This will ensure the smooth and successful completion of the event and enable participating athletes to showcase their talents and perform at their best.