Beijing Celebrates Olympic Torch Arrival

06 August 2008 -- The flame of the Beijing Olympics has arrived in the capital city for the final leg of its international relay ahead of Friday's opening ceremonies.

Thousands of enthusiastic residents cheered and waved Chinese flags as Wednesday's relay began with a lighting ceremony at the Forbidden City. China's first man in space, Yang Liwei, was the first to carry the torch, followed by other Chinese celebrities, including National Basketball Association star Yao Ming.

Despite the tight security in Beijing, foreign activists staged two separate demonstrations to protest China's human rights record. Four foreigners were detained for displaying giant banners near the main Olympic "Bird's Nest" stadium, calling for a free Tibet.

One of the banners carried the slogan "One World, One Dream: Free Tibet," while the other read "Tibet will be Free."

The activists - two from the United States, and two from Britain -- were members of the New York-based Students for a Free Tibet.

China's harsh crackdown on anti-government protests in Tibet and other regions in March sparked international criticism. The worldwide relay of the Olympic torch was marred by a handful of chaotic demonstrations.

In the other protest, three Americans demonstrated in Beijing's Tiananmen Square against China's population control policies, including forced abortions.

Meanwhile, four members of the U.S. Olympic team have formally apologized for wearing face masks when they arrived in Beijing. Athletes have expressed concerned about the air quality in the city during the duration of the Games. Beijing has shut down factories and slashed the number of automobiles on the road to reduce the city's notorious levels of pollution.

Source: VOA News