Chen started to learn to swim at the age of six and has had a wide range of interests since childhood, which includes kite surfing, marathon running and cycling, according to Wu Hong, her mother.

"I always supported her to do whatever she was interested in, and I hoped she could feel the charm of sports," Wu said, adding that she's very proud for having such an excellent daughter.

Wu Qiming, a 68-year-old swimmer from Jiangxi province, travelled about 670 kilometers to Pingtan two days earlier to take part in the race.

Wu Qiming (left) and his pals, who travelled about 680 kilometers from Jiangxi province to take part in the swimming race, give Pingtan a thumb up. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"The result isn't that important for me, and I just wanted to be part of the race," Wu said. "I had a lot of fun these days and Pingtan's views are fantastic."

The race also attracted many a Taiwan swimming enthusiast. Su En-ing was one of them.

Holding a placard which says, "I love Pingtan", Su said: "I have been working in Pingtan for quite a long time, and have been to a lot of places in the city. Pingtan is a wonderful place."

Su En-ping (middle), a Taiwan resident working in Pingtan, holds a placard which says, "I love Pingtan" to express her fondness for the city during the 2017 Pingtan Open Water Swimming Tournament on June 22. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]