Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

International Olympic Committee (IOC) member He Zhenliang (L) displays the torch at the launching ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Jiang Enyu) Photo Gallery>>>

    HAIKOU, May 6 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in south China's Hainan province concluded on Tuesday amid the great passion of millions of local people.

    During the three-day journey in Hainan, which covered Sanya, Wuzhishan, Wanning, Qionghai and the capital city of Haikou, the Olypmic torch relay was warmly welcomed with smiles, cheers and applauses everywhere from the local people.

    Across the five cities, the Olympic torch traveled 91.63 km and handed on by 624 torchbearers. Wherever the Olympic flame went, hundreds of thousands of people flocked into the street, waiting to see the charm of the sacred flame.

    Screams and cheers went all along with the Olympic torch. Red flags, banners and Olympic flags laid all over the avenues.

    He Zhenliang, Honorary President of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (BOCOG), extended his sincere thanks for the participation of millions of Hainan people.

    "The torch relay in Hainan has stirred the patriotism to a climax, and it will be an important part of the Olympic history," said He.

    "Though the torch relay went on only three days in Hainan, the passion and dream will stay in the heart of all the Hainan people forever," he added.

    The Hainan-leg relay has fully showcased the beautiful sceneries and special ethnic culture of the island. Sunshine, sea and beach of Sanya, the tropical paradise, gave the spectators unique enjoyment.

    When the Olympic torch relay went across Wuzhishan, Wanning and Qinghai, people from minority groups greeted the flame in their own ways.

    In the capital city of Haikou, different kinds of performances from the sailboats, hot-air balloons and skaters, highly boosted the fever of the torch relay.

    "The Hainan-leg relay presented Hainan people's great passion, as well as participation and contributions to the Olympic Games," said Luo Baoming, governor of Hainan province.

    Hainan, the second largest island in China, is also the biggest economic special zone in the country. It boasted terrific tropical sceneries and natural resources, which attracts more and more tourists all over the world. It now endeavors to build a Major International Tourism Destination.

    The Olympic flame headed to Guangdong Province and continued its journey in the country.

Actresses perform at the celebration ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan) Photo Gallery>>>

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