Swimmers take water and prepare to cross over the straits between Xiamen, in eastern China's Fujian province, and Taiwan's Kinmen on Saturday, August 15, 2009. [Photo: CFP]

One hundred swimmers from both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan swam across the straits between Xiamen, in eastern China's Fujian province, and Taiwan's Kinmen on Saturday, in a sign of improved relations between the two sides.

The swimmers, 50 from the mainland and 50 from Taiwan, started the mass swim from one of Xiamen's Yefengzhai beaches and swum to Shuangkou village in Kinmen, Taiwan. 59-year-old Chen Rongshu is one of the swimmers from Taiwan.

"I hope I can try to swim to the other side of the straits safely. I hope everyone can finish the swim happily. My greatest hope is that we can make this event a big success, with satisfied organizers and happy participants", said Chen.

The swim is co-hosted by the governments of Xiamen and Kinmen. Chen Yongmao, head of the organizing committee, said the mass swim is expected to help the normalization of the cross-straits relations.

"We have been planning to have this straits crossing event for years, and many swimmers and relevant people on both sides have been thinking of holding an event like this for a long time. Some people actually swam across the straits secretly sixty years ago. Sixty years has passed already, we hope this kind of mass swim hosted by the governments can help the normalization of the cross-straits relations and promote peace and development between the two sides", said Chen.

Participants were selected from thousands of applicants who took part in several rounds of competitions both in the Chinese mainland and in Taiwan. Those covering the distance within three hours will receive an honorary certificate from the organizer.