Press conference: Beijing Paralympic Torch Relay

TVB

I have two questions to Mr. Jiang. The first is about the level of security of the Paralympic torch relay. Will it be the same as the Olympic torch relay? Could you give us more information on that? The second question is that of course now we are counting down the days for the Paralympic Games. China has realized its dreams of holding the Olympic and the Paralympic Games. So I want to ask Mr. Jiang, how do you feel now? And also as regards to the Closing Ceremony of the Olympic Games, Director Zhang Yimou said that he wanted the Closing Ceremony to be a happy event. Can you tell us about what to expect?

Jiang Xiaoyu

I think that the Paralympic torch relay security or safety has always been the number one priority. We pay high attention to the security and safety of the Paralympic torch relay. We want to make sure that this is a happy and peaceful event and at the same time that more people will enjoy the passion, happiness and joy of the torch relay event. The same as the Olympic torch relay, it will also have what we call as the security escort remnant. But in consideration of the Paralympic torch relay, we will not arrange other escorts. We will actually ask our volunteers to be involved in that.

The Olympic Games is coming to an end. Like everybody we are very excited. I am filled with joy and happiness. But at the same time, everyday, like all the staff, we are also working very hard to serve everybody well. I think that our Beijing Olympic Games will reach its objective and make it a high level Olympics with distinguishing features. We also want to make sure that with this Beijing Olympic Games, we can better satisfy the global society and athletes and people from all over the world. We wanted to bring to the whole world a joyful and exciting sporting event. Talking about the Closing Ceremony, I think the Closing Ceremony is of different meaning from the Opening Ceremony. We hope that through the Closing Ceremony, we can tell the whole world that the world is a big family, "One World One Dream". We want to use the Closing Ceremony to gather together including athletes and people from all over the world to enjoy the passion of the Games and to pass on and carry on the Olympic spirit. Also looking forward to the future Olympic Games. I hope that the Beijing Olympic Games and the Chinese people will leave to the world a long and impressive impression and good memory.

CCTV

I have a question about the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games. How are you going to light the cauldron and who will be the athletes or torchbearer to take the responsibility?　Any more information about that?

Jiang Xiaoyu

"Equal success to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games", this is our objective, especially for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. The selection of the last torchbearer, as well as the way of lighting the cauldron have been applauded, recognized and it's really excellent and spectacular. I am sure that we will again show everybody a very exciting and excellent way of lighting the cauldron for the Paralympics Games. But just like the Opening Ceremony, this is a secret. I'm sorry I cannot give you more information on that.

Beijing TV

I want to know more information about the torch relay route in Beijing. Any important torch relay stations you can disclose to us? Could you also give us some of the important bearers at the Beijing leg?

Jiang Xiaoyu

For the specific route, in Beijing torch relay, especially in Beijing leg, we follow the same principles for other cities.

1. First, it will showcase the theme of the Paralympics, which is "Transcendence, Integration and Equality".

2. It should be beneficial for spectators to watch the relay.

3. It will benefit the smooth for the torch relay team.

4. It will benefit of the TV, broadcasting and news publicity.

5. We should reach the security requirement standard.

So Beijing will follow the principles of the rules and other hosting cities will also hold press conferences to give media friends more information abut that.

Voice of Strait Broadcasting Station

I want to know in the Paralympic torch relay, do we have bearers from Chinese Taipei because I know that we have Chinese Taipei businessmen and other Chinese Taipei people as torch bearers. Could you give us more information on that?

Jiang Xiaoyu

The torchbearer selection is now in the process. We hope and we also welcome people from Chinese Taipei to act as torchbearers and also to take active part in the torch relay. Also we have invited some foreign friends to come to China and to act as torchbearers.

Actually we have already contacted Vancouver which is the hosting city for the 2010 Winter Olympics. London, which is the holding city for the 2012 Olympics, Sochi, which will hold the Winter Olympics in 2014, as well as Hong Kong. We contacted these cities and areas and invite people from these areas to act as torchbearers for the Beijing Paralympic Torch Relay. We've already got a positive response from these cities and the selection of the torchbearers is now in the process.

Olympic News Service

I just want to ask, can you tell us something more about the Paralympic torch relay theme song? Thank you.

Tang Xiaoquan at the press conference

Tang Xiaoquan

What different from the Olympic Games or the Olympic torch relay is that we want to use the Paralympic torch relay to showcase to the whole world that we want to pay special attention and special care to people with disabilities. We will also present to the whole world how the disabled persons participate in sports and enjoy happiness in their life in an equal environment and conditions. We will also ask the different provinces to show the kind of facilities and venues they have to help and support people with disabilities. For certain provinces, the number of disabled athletes may be as high as 50% of the torchbearers. So we want to show our special care and support to the disabled athletes. Among the audience and the spectators, we will also arrange some disabled persons and families of disabled persons to watch the whole torch relay process. In addition, in the Opening & Closing Ceremony of the torch relay, we will again show the special performances performed by the people with disabilities and show to whole world the glamour and the charisma of these people in performing their unique art. Overall, we want to use the Paralympic torch relay that people with disabilities can participate in the community and the society on an equal footage. Throughout the Paralympic Games, we will have several songs to show the Paralympic spirit. Some of the songs are the same as the Olympic Games, while other songs are specifically to show to whole world the spirit or morale of the people with disability.

Wang Hui

Thank you very much. Before you leave, I have a housekeeping issue or notice as mentioned by Mr. Jiang. At 10:30 a.m. on August 28, we are going to have the lighting ceremony in the Temple of Heaven. After that we will have the starting ceremony of the torch relay. All of you are warmly welcome to attend. If you want to apply, please do so before 6:00 p.m. tomorrow. Please go to the media service reception desk. Thank you.