The torch relay for the Beijing Olympics will go to Tibet as scheduled despite security concerns over the recent unrest in Lhasa, the Games' organizers said yesterday.
"At present, the situation in the region is stable and the Tibet leg of the torch relay will proceed as scheduled," Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), said.
"The preparation work for the torch relay in Tibet is going smoothly. We firmly believe the regional government will be able to ensure the stability of Tibet and a smooth torch relay there," he said.
On Friday, riots broke out in urban Lhasa, which raised concerns over the safety of the Olympic torch relay.
The flame is scheduled to pass through Tibet in June after its ascent to the summit of Mount Qomolangma (Everest) in May if weather conditions on the world's highest peak permit.
"Those who plan to hold protests to disrupt the torch relay are challenging the Olympic Charter and all those who love the Olympic Movement around the world, as well as people who love peace and friendship," Jiang said.
"Such activities will not win the hearts and minds of people, and are doomed to failure."
The sacred flame will be lit in Greece on Monday and will arrive in China on March 31 when a grand ceremony will be held in Tian'anmen Square.
The 137,000-km relay will visit 134 cities in five continents. More than 20,000 torchbearers and 5,000 escort runners will take part in the 130-day relay, which starts on April 1 and ends on August 8 at the main Olympic stadium in Beijing.
(China Daily March 20, 2008)