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The annual Sun Moon Lake International Swimming Carnival grandly kicked off in Nantou County on September 15th, attracting a total of 22,606 swimmers from 1,869 teams to sign up for participation, including 365 international swimmers from 38 countries. Former President Ma YingJeou (馬英九) joined the swim and suggested to increase the frequency of the event in the future. County Mayor Hsu ShuHua said that she would discuss the feasibility of the increase in event frequency with relevant units, hoping to further enhance the visibility of Nantou.

The event was kicked off at Shuishe Pier, attended by Nantou County Mayor Hsu ShuHua, Deputy County Mayor Wang RuiDe, former President Ma YingJeou, Chi LienCheng, Minister without Portfolio of Executive Yuan, Legislator Yu Hao, Chang YungKuang, Section Chief of Sports Administration, Ministry of Education, Li TzaiLi, commissioner of Sports Administration, Ministry of Education, Tang WeiYao, Deputy Director of Sun Moon Lake National Scenic Area Headquarters, Chen ChungWu, Head of Puli Four-season Swimming Association, Nantou county councilors Chien ChienHsiang and Lin FangYu, and Liu ChiFan, Head of Yuchih Township Office. County Mayor Hsu pointed out that the Sun Moon Lake International Swimming Carnival has been improving and innovating every year. The event goals this year are “tourist capital”, “livable city”, “swimming for health” and “safety first,” in line with Nantou County’s policy theme of “leading investment, livability for all ages, and new sustainability.” She also said that former President Ma is an important figure in this event. Due to the fact that 75-year-old and above participates shall not apply for traveler insurance, Ma will not be able to participate as a swimmer from next year, but may be invited to attend as a "distinguished guest" or take on another special role. The county government, in the future, will also invite President Lai ChingTe (賴清德), Legislative Speaker Han KuoYu (韓國瑜), Taipei City Mayor Chiang WanAn (蔣萬安) and mayors of other cities and counties to participate in the Sun Moon Lake Swimming Carnival.

In order to echo environmental sustainability, before firing the gun to launch the event, County Mayor Hsu, together with Ma and attended guests, released 10,000 fish fries of aruzay at Shuishe Pier, symbolizing their commitment towards ecological protection of Sun Moon Lake. For environmental protection, the other focal point of this event, the organizer provided participants eco-friendly cups made of sugarcane bagasse to advocate the reduction of plastic waste. 

The event started at 7:30 am, and the last swimmer successfully reached the finish line at 2:17 pm. Under comprehensive safety measures with 455 lifeguards on water, 35 divers underwater and 49 medical staff on land standby throughout the event, a total of 152 participants, according to statistics, received the rescue service. Among which, 4 were taken to the hospital for minor injuries or discomfort, and all of them were subsequently discharged.