Cheering people watch the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, on May 11, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)

The Olympic torch relay in Fuzhou, the capital city of southeastern China's Fujian Province, kicked off at 9:39 AM local time on Sunday.

At the launching ceremony, Zheng Meizhu, the former volleyball Olympic champion, took the torch from a local official in the Wuyi Square, running as the first of the 208 bearers.

"I'm extremely excited and honored at this moment. It's quite different from being an athlete to go all out for an Olympic medal. As a torchbearer, I felt I shoulder the responsibility of passing on the love and friendship to the world," smiling Zheng told reporters.

Torchbearer Zheng Meizhu runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province, on May 11, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

A large number of spectators witnessed the launching ceremony, with national flags and Olympic flags waving, and hundreds of citizens performed Chinese traditional drum dancing from the starting point.

The 28-kilometer Fuzhou relay started on the Wuyi square in the center of the city, set to pass local landmarks and historic sites, including Three Hills and Two Pagodas, Three Alleys and Seven Lanes, Luoxing Tower and Taijiang Dock. The relay will end at the Wanglongtai Park, where a celebration is going to be held.