Escorted to Beijing from ancient Olympia, Greece, the sacred Olympic flame raised our compatriots' enthusiasm to a new high for one of sports' most spectacular festivities.

Yes. The honor to host the prestigious Games was awarded officially to the city of Beijing, but we have never considered that honor as being for the capital alone. It is for the whole nation.

The entire preparation for the Games has had the support of the central leadership as well as the general public. Which is why everything concerning the Games has proceeded so smoothly.

The presence of President Hu Jintao and many other top leaders at Tian'anmen Square to welcome the Olympic flame underscores the significance of the Games for all Chinese.

The zeal of ordinary citizens to volunteer for Games-related work vividly illustrates the fact that hosting a successful Olympics is a shared dream of the Chinese.

Everybody wants to get involved so that the world can fully appreciate the hospitality of the city of Beijing, as well as that of the nation.

The Chinese passion for the Olympics is not simply an alleged thirst for prominence and recognition. We embrace it because the ideals and values of the Olympic Games are very much akin to ours.

Peace, respect and friendship, is what the Olympic flame represents, tenets that are at the heart of Chinese civilization.

We like the idea of having the torch-relay themed on harmony. That word perfectly condenses and implies all aspects of the Olympic spirit.

As the Olympic torch begins its global "journey of harmony" today, we hope its flame kindles the spirit it represents in people's of the world.

Sensational as they are, the calls to politicize the Olympics are a blasphemy against the Olympic spirit.

No plot to hijack the Beijing Games deserves the moral high ground it claims.

Instead, more and more people will see through the hypocrisy, and appreciate the Chinese sincerity about harmony.

(China Daily, April 1, 2008)