Zhang Jian, a 41-year-old teacher from Beijing, on Thursday completed his swimming across the Ling-Ding sea linking Hong Kong and Macao.

Zhang plunged into the water from Lantau Island, Hong Kong, at 7:30am local time, and reached the Black Beach in Macao at 6:13pm.

The route was about 40 kilometers, according to the staff memebers of Zhang's security team.

"I feel good so far," Zhang told the welcome gathering approaching the beach. "The harsh waves imposed a challenge on me but I tackled the difficulties."

Zhang had successfully crossed the English Channel in 11 hours 56 seconds in 2001.