Kinmen: The annual “Kinmen-Xiamen Strait Crossing Swim,” scheduled for July 26, has been canceled after Chinese participants failed to receive entry permits, Kinmen Deputy County Magistrate Lee Wen-liang announced.

According to Focus Taiwan, despite China hosting this year’s event, Chinese participants required permission from the Ministry of Education’s Sports Administration to enter the waters surrounding Kinmen. The absence of issued permits by Wednesday hindered the Kinmen County government’s ability to proceed with necessary administrative preparations, resulting in the event’s cancellation.

Lee emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “As the starting date draws closer, we need to make a decision.” The event’s status had been uncertain since July 3, when Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Deputy Head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh described it as part of China’s “united front” efforts during a press briefing in Taipei, indicating that the government would “handle the matter cautiously.”

Further clarifications were provided at a MAC press briefing on July 10, where Liang explained that the Kinmen County government needed to apply to the Sports Administration for an event like the swim, which would then consult the MAC. The MAC recommended against holding the event on maritime security grounds, citing frequent trespassing by Chinese Coast Guard ships into “restricted waters” near Kinmen since 2024.

Regarding the event’s future, Lee expressed that there is currently no indication of a permanent cancellation. The Kinmen County government intends to maintain discussions with central government agencies to explore possibilities for rescheduling the event.