Torchbearer Leong Heng Teng lights the cauldron with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Macao, south China, on May 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhou Lei)
The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Macao concluded at 18:53 local time on Saturday as Leong Heng Teng, member of the Executive Council of the Macao government, lit the cauldron at the Fisherman's Wharf.
Starting from 15:50 p.m. the torch relay lasted for more than three hours. More than a thousand of audiences gathered at the performing ground of the Fisherman's Wharf, cheering and waiving national flags, regional flags and Olympic flags. They all wished a successful relay of the Olympic torch after the Macao leg, and that the Olympic spirit of peace, friendship and improvement will be passed on to the next stop.
Pang Tsz Shan holds the torch on a boat during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Macao, south China, on May 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhou Wenjie)
A total of 120 torchbearers together finishing the 27 kilometers relay. They started from Fisherman's Wharf, then went pass Golden Lotus Square, Ruins of St.Paul's, A-Ma Temple, Headquarters of the Macao Government, Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho, Sai Van Bridge, Macao Tower, Macao Cultural Center, and finally went back to the Fisherman's Wharf as the finishing point.
"The lighting of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay's Cauldron signifies the successful completion of the Olympic Flame's relay around Macao on this memorable day," said Leong at the community celebration at Fisherman's Wharf.
"Representing peace, friendship and joy, today's inspiring event has further intensified the passion we have for the values of the Olympic Movement," Leong said, adding that Macao people took pride in contributing to promote the Olympic spirit and pass on the dreams of the Beijing Olympic Games.
Torchbearer Han Jing (R in red) lights the torch for the next torchbearer Kuong Sio Ieng (L in red) during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Macao, south China, on May 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Qi Heng)
He said that the people in Macao have been touched by the significance of this first visit of the Olympic flame to Macao which has brought people closer together in pursuit of the Olympic dream.
One hundred and twenty torchbearers showcased the Olympic spirit to members of public at different famous attractions in Macao during the three-hour relay with Macao Fisherman's Wharf as both the starting and finishing point.
Joyous and passionate mood veiled every spot visited by the Olympic flame. At Golden Lotus Sqaure, a couple of tourists coming from Taiwan said that they feel lucky to have the chance to see the flame pass by.
"I've seen it! I've seen it! And I've seen the artistic design of the torch, I like it," Sandy Zaugg, an American tourist said at the A-Ma Temple, adding that it was worth waiting even up to three hours for such a short but historical moment.
"We are here with high anticipation. We all wish a successful Beijing Olympic Games and to show the world that Chinese people are able to do well in such a great event," Sophia Lay studying at Sacred Heart Cannossian College said.
The relay also took place on Chinese dragon boats at Sai Van Lake, featuring the traditional Chinese culture.
The relay is set to leave in the evening of the day for Hainan which will be the first leg in Chinese mainland.