Which strait separates Hainan Island from China's Leizhou Peninsula?

The Qiongzhou Strait separates Hainan Island from China's Leizhou Peninsula. It lies between Hainan, an island province, and Guangdong's Leizhou Peninsula on the mainland coast.

The strait connects the Gulf of Tonkin to the west with the South China Sea to the east. It is about 30 kilometres wide on average and reaches roughly 120 metres at its deepest point. Strong typhoons can disrupt or temporarily close crossings.

The name is linked to Qiongzhou, a historical name associated with Hainan and with Haikou, the island's capital. Today, ferries carry vehicles and railway cars across the water between Guangdong and Hainan.

A common mix-up is the Taiwan Strait, which separates mainland China from Taiwan. The Taiwan Strait is much farther northeast; the Qiongzhou Strait is the narrower passage immediately north of Hainan.