The Olympic Torch plane arrives in Athens of Greece on March 29, 2008. [Xinhua]

Wang Wei, executive vice-president and secretary general of BOCOG, said the Olympic Flame is the premier symbol for the Olympic ideal and spirit. Its pursuit of "excellence, friendship, and respect" stands for human beings' common values.

The Torch Handover Ceremony between Greece and China will mark a new chapter in the history of the modern Olympics as it manifests the integration of the Olympic spirit which was originally born by western civilizations and is now being extended to the most long-standing oriental culture.

Wang spoke about the short pageant that is scheduled to be hosted in Tian'anmen Square as the flame arrives in Beijing. The Chinese people have been long anticipating its appearance, dreaming about the international symbol of hope and peace.

Qu Yingpu, spokesperson of the Olympic Torch Relay Center, told reporters that before the handover ceremony, the Olympic torch will travel a distance of more than 1,000 km and involve 629 torchbearers, 26 of whom are Chinese.

He continued to say that the torch relay has deepened mutual friendship between people in Greece and China. Greek fans braving rain and snow to welcome the Olympic torch as it moved through the peninsula have left an indelible impression on him.

The Olympic Torch will travel across five continents.

(BOCOG March 30, 2008)