(FILE)

Zhang Jian, heading a 14-member team ranging in age from 16 to 50, succeeded in swimming across the Taiwan Straits on August 22 after a four-day journey. Seven of the swimmers were from China's mainland, while the rest were from Taiwan.

Entering the water at noon on August 18 in Taiwan's Hsinchu, the team reached shore about 100 hours later in Pingtan, Fujian Province. The shortest distance between the two spots is 130 km; however, due to strong winds, storms, navigation issues, undercurrents and jellyfish stings, the swimmers covered nearly 400 km. This was the first time in known history that human beings successfully swam the entire straits.

Zhang Jian, 50, is a teacher with Beijing Sports University. He began swimming when he was 8 years old. Previously, he successfully completed crossings of famous water passages such as the Qiongzhou Straits, the Bohai Straits and the English Channel.