CCTV

Headline News

China

Torch relay in quake-hit Sichuan starts

WATCH VIDEO

Source: CCTV.com | 08-03-2008 13:20

Special Report:   2008 Beijing Olympic Games

Three months after a powerful earthquake struck Sichuan province in southwest China, the region has welcomed the Olympic torch for the first time. The opening ceremony for this morning's leg began at the former residence of China's late leader Deng Xiaoping.

People pay a silent tribute to the victims of the May 12 earthquake hitting southwest and northwest China before the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games torch relay in Guang'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Liu Lihang) 
People pay a silent tribute to the victims of the May 12 earthquake
hitting southwest and northwest China before the start of the
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games torch relay in Guang'an City, southwest
China's Sichuan Province, August 3, 2008. (Xinhua photo)
 

Guang'an hosted the first leg of the torch relay in the quake-hit province. A minute of silence was observed for the victims of the May 12th earthquake at the beginning of the relay.

Jiang Min, a policewoman who lost 10 relatives in the earthquake, including her two-year-old daughter and her parents, was the first torch bearer. She has continued to help with relief efforts alongside other police and soldiers despite her loss, and has become a symbol of bravery in the face of overwhelming tragedy.

The ninth torch bearer, Chen Jing, carried the torch to the memorial park of Deng Xiaoping, the first leader to express China's wish to host the Olympic Games. In front of the sculpture of the late Chinese leader, Chen lit the torch in the hand of his fellow villager Li Liangguo.

People marched through the relay route, waving flags and banners, as cars honked their support.