The Beijing Olympic torch was relayed Monday on the sea off Olympic co-host city Qingdao's coast in east China's Shandong Province.

The first torchbearer, Zhang Xiaodong runs with the Olympic torch in Qingdao, Shandong Province July 21.

This is the first time that the sacred flame is transferred on the sea since the Olympic torch relay kicked off in the Chinese mainland on May 4, according to Zhu Yuetao, deputy secretary general of the sailing committee (Qingdao) of BOCOG.

Tochbearer Chen Aixin carries the Olympic torch in Qingdao, Shandong Province July 21.

The torch relay started its tour in Qingdao at 8:10 a.m. July 21 at the measurement hall dock in the Qingdao Olympic sailing center.

Zhang Xiaodong, windsurfing world champion and silver medalist for women's Mistral at 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, received the torch from Huang Sheng, vice governor of Shandong, as the first runner.