HANGZHOU, Aug. 7 -- Some 1200 swimmers from across the world swam across the Qiantang River in a traditional swimming event in Hangzhou Qianjiang New CBD on Saturday.

The event is a significant constituent of the 12th The West Lake International Expo in Hangzhou, capital of eastern coastal Zhejiang Province.

This event has been held for five years since it was resumed, and it is greatly appreciated by Hangzhou citizens.

Organizers said that more than half of the participants came from places other than Hangzhou, with some of them even coming from the United States, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei.

Xiao Zongxu, one of the participants, is a 77-year-old Hangzhou citizen and has been swimming for over 60 years.

"I will continue to swim after retirement. I entered this event every year since it was resumed," Xiao said.

Editor: Li Cheng

Source: Xinhua