Under the steaming heat, Pang Wai-chin, student from Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, handed the torch to Manuel Silverio, president of Macao Sports Development Board, who relayed the torch to Macao student Tang Kuok-wai.
Escorted by hundreds of students, the torch was relayed in streets, which attracted a lot of passerbys and tourists, many of whom voluntarily joined in the relaying team.
It is the first time ever that the torch relay of any games was held in Macao.
Fernando Chui Sai On, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of Macao Special Administrative Region, said that it is an honour to have the University Games torch relay in Macao after China resumed its sovereignty of the region.
"I hope all residents in Macao, in the spirit of University Games, could do their bits for the future of the region," he said.
The Beijing World University Games torch was ignited in Beijing and New Zealand on January 1, 2001 respectively. Joined by the torch of first World Universiade from Turin University in Italy, the torch began its 111-day nationwide relay on May 4. On August 22, the torch will return to Beijing and ignite the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Games.
(People's Daily 07/05/2001)
