Ruijin celebrates torch relay, collects disaster relief donations

Source: BOCOG | 05-14-2008 17:24

(RUIJIN, May 14) – The first leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Jiangxi Province ended in Ruijin amid public donations for relief efforts to victims of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked neighboring Sichuan Province two days ago.

Torchbearer Fu Chunrong lit the flame cauldron.

The four-hour relay by 208 torchbearers covered a length of 15km and finished at Ruijin Museum at 11:30 a.m. before passing through Yeping, Ruijin municipal government, the site of "Red Well," and the site of the People's Congress of the Soviet Republic of China (1931-1937).

Jiangxi Provincial Government donates five million yuan to  earthquake victims in Sichuan Province.

Praising the torch relay in the Chinese revolutionary cradle, which dates back to over 70 years ago, Mayor of Ganzhou City Wang Ping said the activity ignited the Olympic passion among the locals who will make further efforts to improve their living conditions.