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Opening Remarks by Ambassador Liu Xiaoming at Press Conference on Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay in Pyongyang
2008-03-11 00:00

Dear journalists,

Fellow Ambassadors,

Cultural and Press Officers from the Diplomatic Corps,

Comrades and Friends,

Welcome to this press conference at the Chinese Embassy. I want to thank you for your support for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Pyongyang and the importance you have attached to this press conference.

In just 13 days, the Olympic Flame, symbolizing peace, friendship and hope, will be lit in Greece. The subsequent Torch Relay will be the prelude to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The Torch Relay is featured with the theme of "Journey of Harmony" and the slogan of "Lighting the Passion and Sharing the Dream." These ideas reflect the enthusiasm of Chinese people for the forthcoming Olympic Games and their longing for peace and friendship. It embodies the traditional Chinese philosophy of seeking harmony between body and mind, between mankind and nature, as well as among people themselves. It also marks the pursuit of the peaceful development of modern China.

The route of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay includes 21 cities in 19 countries outside China and 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China. The Olympic Flame will eventually arrive at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and light the cauldron on August 8. The whole relay will last for 130 days and travel over 137,000 kilometers with 19,400 torchbearers in China and 2,480 abroad, totaling 21,880. This makes it a unique Torch Relay with the longest in time in duration, the longest in distance, the widest in geographic scope and the largest member of torchbearers in Olympic history.

The overseas route of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay has three special features.

First, 11 out of 21 Torch Relay cities are located on the Silk Road. This highlights the earliest, massive exchanges of culture between the East and the West--great contributions to civilization. It also embodies the long-time friendship and economic-cultural connection between China and other countries since ancient times.

Second, it brings the Olympic Flame to the countries that have never hosted the Olympic Games, especially the countries of Asia that, among them all, have only hosted the Olympic Games twice before. This time, the Torch Relay will go to 14 Asian cities and make debuts in 14 developing countries. As an Asian and developing country, China would like to help spread the spirit of the Olympic Games to an even wider part of the world.

Thirdly, the Torch Relay will reach out to every continent, including countries with profound Olympic traditions. It will bring to friends all around the world the invitation to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games as well as the blessings of that majestic event.

At 0:40 on April 28, the Olympic Flame will land in Pyongyang, the 18th stop of its world tour. The event will be of special and important meaning. It is the first time in the history that the Olympic Flame will come to the DPRK. It is also the first time that both the North and South sides of the Korean Peninsula will participate in the Olympic Torch Relay at the same time. The shining Olympic Flame on the land of the DPRK will allow the peoples across the Yalu River to share the passion and joy of the Olympic Games, help to promote China-DPRK friendship, and enhance the cooperation of the North and South in sports and culture. The people all over the world will see with their own eyes a beautiful Pyongyang with grand architecture, picturesque scenery, clean streets, good public order, and vigorous people. We sincerely hope that the sacred Olympic Flame will bring to the Korean Peninsula the beautiful blessings of peace and friendship.

On April 28, the torch will travel through the Pyongyang, passing by the major landmark buildings of the city, including the Tower of Juche Idea, the Kim Il-sung Square, the East Pyongyang Theatre, the Triumphal Arch, the People's Cultural Palace, the Chollima Stature, and the Kim Il-sung Stadium, etc. The whole relay will cover about 20 kilometers, with 80 torchbearers participating. Fifty six are Korean torchbearers representing a wide social spectrum of athletes, coaches, officials, workers and students. Representatives of Chinese diplomats, students and overseas citizens in Pyongyang will also take part in the event.

China and the DPRK started discussions and consultations on the Olympic Torch Relay in last July. Since then, the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) and the Olympic Committee of the DPRK have enjoyed excellent cooperation to ensure a smooth, safe and successful Torch Relay in Pyongyang. The DPRK has made great efforts in planning and arranging the event. Currently the preparation work is well underway.

The Chinese Embassy in Pyongyang will hold a series of events prior to the Torch Relay. This press conference serves only as a kick-off. It will be followed by a reception with a keynote speech and a photo exhibition on the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. We are also open to media interviews. We welcome your active participation and support. Here, I want thank the Olympic Committee of the DPRK, the Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, Pyongyang City Government for the great job they have done so far. The Chinese Embassy will keep in close contact and coordination with them to ensure a safe, smooth and successful Torch Relay in Pyongyang.

As the countdown clock ticks for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Beijing, a city of thousand years of history, is reaching out to embrace friends from all over the world. You are all welcome to the Beijing Olympic Games. I want to take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to the athletes from the DPRK as well as other countries.

Finally, I wish a great success for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Pyongyang.

Thank you.

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