Leaded by Guangdong Governor Huang Huahua, about 3,500 Guangzhou residents swim across the Pearl River on July 12. It is the first time in three decades for so many swimmers crossing the river. The water quality has been greatly improved after an 8-year cleaning-up. The province has done plenty of works in environmental protection, and six cities in the Pearl River Delta region have awarded as "National Environmental Protection Model City".