Shanghai Daily news

The torch for next week's 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games arrived in Beijing yesterday, marking the beginning of the flame's relay in China.

Wu Guanzheng, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, ignited the flame at a ceremony at the foot of the Great Wall last night and declared open of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in China.

The torch run will kick off tomorrow, passing through Beijing, Harbin, Dalian, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Wuxi, Guangzhou, Jiaxing, Wenzhou, Nanjing, Hong Kong and Macao before the Special Olympics opens in Shanghai on October 2.

The fifth plenary meeting of the organizing committee also took place yesterday in Beijing, chaired by Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng.

Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, who is also the honorary chairman of the committee, called for increased efforts in the final stage of preparations for the games in an address to the session.

Hui said the 2007 Special Olympics will be the biggest international event ever held in China in terms of the number of countries, regions and players participating.

A total of 164 countries and regions have confirmed their participation in the games so far. More than 10,000 athletes and coaches have signed up for the competition, and more than 20,000 working staff and athlete family members will take part in the event.

In addition, more than 40,000 volunteers will serve the games.

Hui noted that preparations for the Special Olympics will provide the country with expertise to host other major international events, especially the Olympics and Paralympic Games to be held next year in Beijing.

He also reiterated that the Special Olympics is a great opportunity for the country to further promote sports for the mentally challenged and improve benefits for them.

The "Flame of Hope" was lit on June 29 at the Acropolis in Athens, Greece, using only the rays of the sun, and then departed on a 35,400-kilometer journey across five continents.