Translated by Ting-Yi Shih

The once tense waters between Kinmen and Xiamen, it is now the first gateway across the Taiwan Strait. In the effort to promote Kinmen as an ideal island for recreation, Kinmen county government has been hosting the “Liao Luo Bay swimming competition” since 2001. In the past 10 years, countless Chinese have enjoyed swimming in the Liao Luo Bay.

金門與廈門間近在咫尺的海峽，曾經緊張對峙、烽火滿天的禁限制水域，如今則是兩岸交流的第一道門戶。為在世人面前展現國際觀光休閒島嶼的新風貌，金門縣政府自2001年起邀集全球愛好水上活動的華人，參加「搶灘料羅灣－金門海上長泳」活動，至今10屆以來，無數華人在美麗的料羅灣外輕鬆漫遊體驗。

With the increased exchanges across the Taiwan Strait via Kinmen and Matsu, Kinmen county government cooperated with Xiamen city government in China to host the first ever “Kinmen-Xiamen swimming competition” on August 15th 2009 after seven years of planning. All Chinese across the Taiwan Strait are participating in this activity, turning this once restricted area into a peaceful stadium, and helping to establish a platform for further exchanges.

The county government has also put in more effort since last year to invite Chinese all over the world to create history by participating in this meaningful event. The competition is categorized in solo and pair competition. Cash award has also been set up which symbolizes a win-win situation for all the Chinese across the globe.

在小三通開放後，兩岸各項交流頻仍，金門縣政府經過7個年頭的發想籌畫及舉辦「搶灘料羅灣」活動的經驗，在2009年8月15日與中國大陸廈門市政府等合作舉辦第1屆「金廈海域泳渡」，昔日的戰場轉變和平的賽場，兩岸四地海上健將打破「禁區」海域限制，拉起兩岸聯誼交流的平台，同時重新創造歷史。去年起，縣府力邀全球華人加入盛會，並從單人泳渡方式，擴大為2人1隊的接力賽，也設立獎金制度，象徵全球華人接力合作，共創雙贏。

There are a total of 152 participants this year including 35 teams from Taiwan, 32 teams from Mainland China, 7 teams from Hong Kong and 2 teams from Macau. All participants began their Journey at the Shuang Kou beach of Lieyu after firing by Li Wo-Shih, Kinmen County Mayor, and Jen Hong, Deputy Minister of OCAC. All participants swam towards their partners at the mid point, Bing Lang Yu, and their partners continued to swim to the finish line at Ye Feng Chai. Mainland Chinese teams received the honors of championship and runner-up for both male and female teams. Third place honors for the male team and the female team were granted to Chiu Si-Chi and Luo Jun, as well as Deng Yu-Wen and Su Shi-Han of Keelung Nuan Nuan High School respectively.

今年，來自台灣35隊、中國大陸32隊、香港7隊及澳門2隊的152位選手7月15日在小金門雙口海灘，等待金門縣長李沃士、僑委會副委員長任弘等人鳴槍後下水，游向中點站檳榔嶼交接後，再接力橫渡游向椰風寨。經過激烈賽事，男、女子組冠亞軍均由中國大陸選手包辦，男子組第三名是基隆暖暖高中的邱思輯、羅寯，女子組第三名則是基隆暖暖高中的鄧羽、蘇詩涵。

Jen Hong, Deputy Minister of OCAC, pointed out in the opening ceremony this year that Kinmen and Xiamen are the gateways to exchanges and peace. Swimming in the formerly restricted waters is not only symbolic for the world of athletes; it also promotes healthy living for the Chinese across the globe and peace across the Taiwan Strait. County Mayor Li hopes to cultivate excellent athletes across the Taiwan Strait and welcomes anyone who loves swimming to participate next year in both “Liao Luo Bay swimming competition” and “Kinmen-Xiamen swimming competition”.

正如任副委員長在今年的開幕典禮中指出，金廈是交流之門，也是和平之門。金廈海域泳渡不僅是兩岸體育界的指標性活動，更讓全球華人泳出健康，也讓兩岸泳向和平。李縣長許下打造兩岸知名海域運動的心願，歡迎愛好游泳的全球華人明年一同參加「搶灘料羅灣－金門海上長泳」及「金廈海域泳渡」活動。