The widely-anticipated 16th Asian Games torch relay plan has finally produced a result. The Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) announced in a press conference on Wednesday that torch relay legs in overseas cities have been cancelled and the relay will involve Chinese territorial cities only, according to Xinhua News Agency.

The Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee announced in a press conference on March 4, 2009 that torch relay legs in overseas cities have been cancelled and the relay will involve Chinese territorial cities only.

He Jiqing, director of GAGOC's Ceremonies and Cultural Events Department, said that the decision was made following careful deliberations. When asked if the cancelation was related to safety factors, Director He replied that: "A preliminary plan has now been decided and there is no need to consider this question."

The director said that the source flame collection ceremony for the 16th Asian Games will take place in late August 2010. The torch relay will follow shortly afterwards and reach its conclusion on November 12, the day of the Games' opening ceremony.

The question whether to run the torch relay in overseas cities was subject to long and careful discussion by officials and experts from GAGOC, Director He stressed. Some insisted that the plan should continue according to previous practice, while others disagreed, saying that the cost would be high and that the relay would also face the risk of disruption.

Director He explained that the torch relay is intended to carry the spirit of sporting competition and the essence of the host city. The decision to restrict the torch relay to Chinese territories is intended only to respect the principles of creation, thrift efficiency, and realism.

He said that this year GAGOC will step up overseas publicity for the 16th Asian Games. Among a series of activities, the "Asian Road" which was launched last year will cover all Asian countries and regions along the ancient Silk Road, transmitting the best wishes of the Asian Games and the host city.

Currently GACOC is making a thorough appraisal and study of the torch relay route, said Director He, adding that a detailed plan is expected to be made known at the end of the year. The design of the form of the torch and the dresses of the torch bearers has also begun.

More about the Asian Games

The 16th Asian Games will be held in Guangzhou from November 12 to 27, 2010. Guangzhou is the second Chinese city to win the right to host the Asian Games. Beijing successfully held the 11th Asian Games in 1990.

The Guangzhou Asian Games will have 41 competition events, the largest number in the history of the Games. The city will hold the 10th Para-Asian Games shortly afterwards.

(China.org.cn by Li Jingrong, March 5, 2009)