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Olympic torch re-lit in Beijing Beijing welcomes Olympic torch
(about 7 hours later)
The Olympic torch has been re-lit at a lavish ceremony in Beijing, after arriving aboard a flight from Athens. A lavish ceremony has been held to welcome the Olympic torch to Beijing, which is due to host the Olympic Games in August.
Chinese President Hu Jintao took part in the event at Tiananmen Square to welcome the torch to the city, which hosts of the 2008 Olympics in August. President Hu Jintao took part in the televised event at Tiananmen Square, holding the torch aloft before passing it to Chinese sporting icon Liu Xiang.
Tight security was put in place at the square, amid concerns of possible anti-government protests. Security was tight amid concerns over possible anti-government protests.
Last week protesters opposed to China's actions in Tibet clashed with police at the lighting ceremony in Greece. Last week protesters opposed to Chinese actions in Tibet clashed with police at the torch-lighting ceremony in Greece.
On Tuesday, the torch goes to Almaty in Kazakhstan, its next stop on a tour of 20 countries before returning for the opening of the Beijing games on 8 August. On Tuesday the torch goes to Almaty in Kazakhstan, its next stop on a tour of 20 countries.
See map of Olympic torch relay route See map of Olympic torch relay route
Square closed The 130-day relay - the longest ever, and with the most torch-bearers - underlines the importance China is giving to the Games, which it hopes to use as a showcase for its rapid economic and political rise.
Hundreds of schoolchildren turned out at Beijing airport, waving flags as the Air China plane arrived. But activists say they intend to use the torch relay to highlight concerns over violence in Tibet, China's role in Sudan and domestic human rights issues.
Students and workers sang the Olympic slogan "One World, One Dream" and waved pom-poms. Lavish welcome
Security was tight in the centre of Beijing, with one underground station near Tiananmen Square closed, and the square closed off to vehicles. The flame arrived from Greece early on Monday, aboard a chartered Air China plane, and was greeted at Beijing airport by hundreds of flag-waving schoolchildren.
Students and workers sang the Olympic slogan One World, One Dream.
Crowds were waiting at the airport for a glimpse of the torchThe torch was then taken to the city centre, for an elaborate ceremony in Tiananmen Square.
President Hu Jintao lit a cauldron on a red-carpeted rostrum, and then handed the torch to Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang, who ran the first leg of the relay.
"I declare the torch relay of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games begun," said Mr Hu.
'Timeless symbol''Timeless symbol'
Sunday's formal handover was held in the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896. Sunday's formal torch handover was held in the Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, where the first modern Olympics took place in 1896.
The route of the torch in Greece has been dogged by protests Minos Kyriakou, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, passed the flame to the chief organiser of the Beijing Games, Liu Qi.
The Chinese and Greek flags were marched in by Greek athletes to the strains of a band, before a circle of white-clad actresses dressed as ancient priestesses surrounded a podium as the torch was brought in. "The Olympic flame is the timeless symbol which stirs admiration, pride and faith [in] the Olympic ideals and values," said Mr Kyriakou. "I hope the world community welcomes the flame and honours it".
Minos Kyriakou, president of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, passed the flame to chief Beijing organizer Liu Qi. But there are fears the torch relay will be a magnet for anti-China protests, and activists have already been planning demonstrations in London, Paris and San Francisco - where the torch is heading in the next 10 days.
"The Olympic flame is the timeless symbol which stirs admiration, pride and faith [in] the Olympic ideals and values," said Mr Kyriakou. At last week's flame-lighting ceremony in Greece, campaigners broke through police lines and unfurled a Tibetan flag before being dragged away.
"I hope the world community welcomes the flame and honours it". On Sunday, as the torch was handed over to the Chinese, a small group of protesters tried to unfurl a banner which said "Stop genocide in Tibet", but failed to enter the stadium.
Mr Liu pointed out that the summit of Mount Everest was on the torch's destination list, "testifying to the great strength of the Olympic movement in marking the progress of human civilisation". A further flashpoint for protests could be Tibet itself. The torch passes through Tibet in May, en route to Mount Everest, and then again when it goes through the city of Lhasa in June.
The protesters tried to unfurl a banner which said "Stop genocide in Tibet", but failed to enter the stadium or disrupt the solemn ceremony. Despite the massive security presence in Lhasa, there was a fresh protest there over the weekend, according to Tibetan activist groups.
At least six people were arrested.
Police had warned they would confiscate all banners, signs or objects that might be thrown.
OLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official siteOLYMPIC TORCH ROUTE Torch lit in Olympia on 24 March and taken on five-day relay around Greece to AthensAfter handover ceremony, it is taken to Beijing on 31 March to begin a journey of 136,800 km (85,000 miles) around the worldTorch arrives in Macao on 3 May. After three-month relay all around China, it arrives in Beijing for opening ceremony on 8 August See detailed route on Beijing 2008 official site
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