He made a splash in Hawaii; he dived in in Mexico. So which beach should President Jiang Zemin head for if he wants to swim during a visit to Hong Kong next year? Mr Jiang is rumoured to be coming for the opening of Chek Lap Kok airport in April. And in Beijing last week, the 71-year-old Communist Party chief himself mentioned the possibility of visiting the SAR - and swimming before the cameras. It would depend on the water temperature, he smilingly told reporters from Hong Kong, without mentioning the other threats to bathers - pollution and sharks.
Even if the sun is shining his choices are limited. Silvermine Bay, Butterfly and Rocky Bay are out of the question. Hong Kong does not want to send the president home with a nasty infection.
On Hong Kong Island, Deep Bay, St Stephen's Bay, Shek O, Big Wave Bay and Stanley Main Beach - which was closed for a stint in July due to water contamination from leaking sewage - also have pollution problems, but to a lesser extent.
And there has been the rumour of sharks at some of them.
If he has time to spare for a far-flung location, Cheung Sha beach on Lantau and Hap Mun Bay opposite Sai Kung are fine choices. The latter is accessible only by sampan from Sai Kung, so security is good too.
Yet, if Mr Jiang wants to chat with tourists and pose for pictures, where else but Repulse Bay? It is accessible, scenic and, as one of Hong Kong's few remaining quality beaches, it is also home to the affluent classes.
