A group of sailing enthusiasts from China are determined to fulfil their dreams in being the first Chinese to steer a sailboat around the world.

"We will face lots of difficulties, but everyone of us has the confidence to complete the tour," said Wang Bin of Sina Corporation, a leading online media company and also the main organizer of the team. "It is an honour for us when we steer the boat to different cities of the world flying China's national flag."

The sailboat, named as "GoTone - Sina" and organized by China Mobile and Sina company, sets off on May 24 from Cannes, France. It will cross the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic, the Panama Canal and the Pacific Ocean before reaching the final destination - Shenzhen of South China's Guangdong Province, extending around 33,000 kilometres and passing about 30 countries and regions.

If they make it, it will be the first and successful global tour feat for the Chinese as the team has completed half of the distance in the first half of last year, by crossing the Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean from France to Shenzhen in the opposite direction.

"Sailing is a sport that mostly depends on teamwork. All of us have the experience of working together," said Wang.

Along with sailing, they will carry the Five Friendlies, the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. They will also spread the Chinese people's spirit of friendship while having people know more about the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"It is also a tour of exchanging cultures with different countries and people. We are also inviting people to join in the Beijing Olympics," Wang said.

During the half-year adventure, the team will visit the local Chinese corporations, organize overseas Chinese students to exchange ideas and also launch activities with local people.

(China Daily May 20, 2006)