Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

Torchbearer Fang Dan displays the torch at the Zhalong nature reserve in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 12, 2008. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay was held in Qiqihar July 13, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    HARBIN,Northeast China, July 13 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch relay in Qiqihar, the last leg of the torch tour in China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, starts on Sunday morning.

    With vast wetlands in the Zhalong Nature Reserve, which is the main propagating place for national protection animal red-crowned cranes, Qiqihar, a major city in the northeast of China, is commended as "crane town".

    Located in one of the three major black soil zones of the world, Qiqihar is endowed with superior conditions to develop ecological agriculture and green food industry.

    Qiqihar, one of the important industrial bases in China, is honored as "Steel Machinery City" as well.

    The city, with lots of renowned large metallurgic, forging, refining and heavy equipment manufacturing enterprises, plays a crucial role in Heilongjiang's economic development and the rejuvenation of old industrial bases.

The Olympic torch relay in Qiqihar, the last leg of the torch tour in China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, starts on Sunday morning.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Liu Yukun (R) and Xue Ruihong celebrate hand in hand during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Qiqihar, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on July 13, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

The Olympic torch relay in Qiqihar, the last leg of the torch tour in China's northernmost Heilongjiang province, starts on Sunday morning.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>