Zhang Jian, a teacher of Beijing Sport University who successfully swam across the Bohai Straits and English Channel, began to conquer the Ling-Ding sea (the sea between Hong Kong and Macao) early Thursday morning.

He jumped into the sea from Tai O of Lantau Island, Hong Kong at 7:30 a.m. and expected to reach Macao at 10:00 p.m. The whole journey is 35 kilometers.

Before starting his journey, Zhang Jian said, "I feel good and the weather is favorable. I believe I can do it."

Zhang planned to conquer the sea last Sunday but changed the plan because of the signal of Typhoon.

(Xinhua News Agency September 22, 2005)