Swimmers Show Hope for Taiwan Strait Cooperation

Liu Xi Jiu, a swimmer from Beijing, is set to compete in a rare seven-kilometre race from Taiwan’s Kinmen Islands to Xiamen, China, navigating one of the world’s most perilous waters. This event, while showcasing athleticism and camaraderie, unfolds against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Taiwan and China, with the latter asserting its claim over the democratic island. The warm atmosphere of the race contrasts sharply with the political strife that has historically defined the region, where residents have often found themselves caught in the crossfire of a fraught relationship between Taipei and Beijing. Recent incidents have heightened these tensions, including a mid-February clash between the Taiwanese coastguard and a Chinese fishing vessel in Kinmen’s waters. The situation escalated when the Chinese boat capsized after colliding with the Taiwanese ship, a detail initially omitted by Taipei. Fishermen like Lu, who once enjoyed amicable relations with their mainland counterparts, now face increased pressure from Chinese vessels encroaching on Kinmen’s territorial waters, a situation that has become more frequent since February. In July, the Chinese Coast Guard seized a Taiwanese fishing boat, further straining relations. However, a recent agreement between Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation and Chinese officials has allowed for the repatriation of deceased Chinese fishermen, a move aimed at easing tensions. For many participants, including Liu, this race symbolizes a shift from a history of conflict to a potential for cooperation, as they experience Taiwan for the first time amidst a complex geopolitical landscape.