The Olympic torch relay continues in East China's Fujian province. And this morning, the flame has been passed around the port city of Quanzhou, the second leg of the relay in the province.
Torchbearer Wang Jiasheng from Quanzhou sport bureau runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Quanzhou, southeast China's Fujian Province, on May 12, 2008.(Xinhua/Zhang Guojun)
After the relay in the provincial capital Fuzhou, the flame arrived in the port city of Quanzhou last night. Coupled with this morning's pleasant weather, the local residents' enthusiasm for the flame was tangible everywhere.
The starting ceremony of this morning's relay was held outside a museum holding an exhibition on the historical ties between Taiwan and the Chinese mainland. As part of the ceremony, the torch was handed to secretary of CPC Quanzhou City Committee Xu Gang, much to the great pride of the crowds and the whole city.
The first torch bearer today was Wang Jiasheng a veteran track and field coach and also an excellent athlete. He was a member of the province's delegation at several consecutive national games and won silver in the jump competition at the inaugural national track and field tournament for university students.
Torch bearer Wang Jiasheng said, "I was so excited to be the first to run today. I'm also greatly honored to be able to spread the Olympic spirit of peace and friendship on behalf of 7 million Quanzhou people."
All the 108 torch bearers who ran in this leg shared the same sentiments. And running was not enough for some of the young torch bearers. They jumped and galloped while continuing to wave at the cheering crowd. Aged from 15 to 74, the torchbearers came from all walks of life. But they all shared the same enthusiasm for the first Summer Olympics to be hosted by China.
The theme of the relay in Quanzhou was "a journey through history", a fitting tribute to the city's heritage. As one of the earliest State Council-designated historical and cultural cities in China, Quanzhou was the starting point of the "silk road on sea" in ancient times. It also enjoys the reputation of a living museum of world religions, boasting many splendid Buddhist temples as well as mosques. The city is also home to the world's first UNESCO-designated "Demonstration Center of Diversified Cultures". Quanzhou and the Taiwan region are also separated by narrow Straits...and many Taiwan compatriots can trace their origins back to Quanzhou. The city is also the hometown of over 7 million overseas Chinese scattered around the world.
(CCTV May 12, 2008)