The Torch relay will make its way to the Tibet Autonomous Region in June. The torch is expected to be taken to the top of the Mount Qomolangma for the first time in history. The local government is gearing up for the coming relay, and residents in Lhasa are expressing their enthusiasm.
The Lhasa government is gearing up for the coming relay, and residents in Lhasa are expressing their enthusiasm.
This is Chomsigkang market in the old center of the city. It's the biggest market in Lhasa, but because of damage caused by the recent riots, it reopened just a few days ago.
Chief of Chomisigkang, Neighborhood Community said "The torch of the Beijing Olympic Games will arrive in the Tibet Autonomous Region. It's been a dream by all Chinese for years. We welcome the relay, and will do our best to receive and protect it."
Many Lhasa residents heard about the torch relay coming to the region from TV, and they are enthusiastic about the event.
One Lhasa resident said "From TV, I know the torch is to travel through here. It's a happy event for China. We are very happy."
As ethnic Tibetans, they have expressed their anger at sabotage activities by some Tibet Independence separatists and their supporters.
Another Lhasa resident said "Some people are trying to disrupt the torch relay. I saw it on TV. I'm quite angry about this. They'll never be able to disrupt the relay. They won't succeed."
All relevant local government departments have been urged to spare no efforts in preparing for the torch relay.
(CCTV.com, April 12, 2008)