Swimming in the Yangtze

Swimming in the Yangtze at Wuhan Swimming in the Yangtze river has always been a way of keeping cool in the summer months, but it became especially significant when Mao Zedong braved the currents and swam across the Yangtze at Wuhan. This was a well-publicised stunt which was on the front page of all Chinese newspapers, and many in the West. The purpose was political, to wrongfoot Mao Zedong's opponents who were maintaining that Chairman Mao was too old to continue as leader.

Mao Zedong, the "Great Helmsman", made his point spectacularly when he swam the Yangtze. They might be younger, but nobody could imagine Liu Xiaochi, Deng Xiaoping, or other members of Mao Zedong's oposition ever emulating the feat.

The swimmers we saw were not attempting the full crossing of the Yangtze but stayed near the bank. However it still looked dangerous. Yangtze river ferries and other small craft charged through the water near the swimmers, although it didn't seem to bother them.