China's Hu offically launches Olympic torch relay
Chinese President Hu Jintao officially launched the Beijing Olympic torch relay on Monday amid dancing, acrobatics, waving pompoms and tight security on the capital's Tiananmen Square.
Chinese President Hu Jintao officially launched the Beijing Olympic torch relay on Monday amid dancing, acrobatics, waving pompoms and tight security on the capital's Tiananmen Square.
"The sacred flame is the symbol of the Olympic spirit," China's Olympic organising chief, Liu Qi, told the assembled officials, dancers, students and workers in the square, overlooked by the Great Hall of the People, festooned with red flags, and a giant portrait of Mao Zedong at the Gate of Heavenly Peace.
"It embodies hopes and dreams, light and joy and friendship and peace."
The first stop in the international leg of the 130-day relay is Kazakhstan on Tuesday. The flame returns to Beijing after travelling around all of China's provinces and regions on Aug. 6, two days before it is used to light the cauldron at the Olympic opening ceremony.