By Bernama,
Zhengzhou : The Beijing Olympic torch continued its journey in China’s most populous province Henan on Saturday, with the torch being relayed in Kaifeng, “capital of seven dynasties” in the nation’s history.
According to a report by Xinhua news agency, the torch was lit at the local Kaifeng University around 8 a.m.
“The torch relay will connect Kaifeng with the world,” said Liu
Changchun, Secretary of the Kaifeng Municipal Committee of the Communist Party, at a grand ceremony before the relay.
Wang Liqun, a Henan celebrity professor who gained great popularity after giving lectures in a national TV programme, run the first leg of the relay.
Altogether 208 torchbearers will take part in the relay in Kaifeng.
Located in northeastern Henan, Kaifeng, the largest city in the world during the 11th Century, served for a time as capital of seven dynasties, including the Wei, the Liang and the Han and the Northern Song dynasties.