Flame arrives for Beijing Olympics

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Source: CCTV.com | 03-31-2008 12:28

The plane bearing the Olympic flame touched down at Beijing Airport Monday morning.

The plane bearing the Olympic flame touched down at Beijing Airport Monday morning.

The flame will not remain long in the Chinese capital. After an overnight stay, the symbol of the Olympic spirit will begin its long "Journey of Harmony" around the globe.

The special charter carried the flame across Europe and Asia on a journey lasting more than 9 hours -- before touching down in Beijing-- the site for the 29th Olympic Games.

As the aircraft began its final approach at Beijing airport, the spirit of the flame ignited the crowd that turned out to welcome its arrival.

The aircraft alit and glided along the runway, as cheers welled, flashbulbs popped and camera shutters clicked and whirred.

The President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 29th Olympic Games, Liu Qi, was the first to step off the plane.

Beijing Olympics' top organizer Liu Qi walked off the plane, carrying a lantern which holds the sacred flame.

He carried the safety lantern, used to transport the sacred flame. Accompanying Liu were Hellenic Olympic Committee President Minoa Kiryakou, senior organizers of the Beijing Olympics, and a delegation from all walks of life from the host city.

Welcoming the delegation at the airport was Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. He received the lantern from Liu Qi, showed it to the welcoming crowds and passed it to special guards. The lantern was set down.

Welcoming the delegation at the airport was Zhou Yongkang,(L) member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of  the CPC Central Committee.He received the lantern fromLiu Qi(R), showed itto the welcoming crowds and passed it to special guards. The lantern was set down.

After a short pause, the lantern and the flame it held, headed for an official welcome at Beijing's Tian'anmen Square.

The Beijing Olympic torch relay will have three segments. There will be the relay outside the Chinese mainland, a relay inside China and the Mt. Qomolangma expedition.

The flame will visit 19 cities outside China. It will travel to 115 cities and regions of China before returning to Beijing, August 6.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei