Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

International Olympic Committee (IOC) member He Zhenliang (L) displays the torch at the launching ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Jiang Enyu) Photo Gallery>>>

    HAIKOU, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in south China's Haikou concluded at the Century Plaza on Tuesday.

    The last torchbearer Lu Haiying, entitled as the National Model of Women -- Red Banner Pacesetters, lighted the cauldron at 5:00 p.m., igniting loud cheers and applauses from the spectators.

    He Zhenliang, Honorary President of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), expressed his sincere thanks for the participation of millions of local people in the Hainan-leg relay.

    "The torch relay in Hainan has stirred the patriotism to a climax, and it will be an important part of the Olympic history," said He, who is also an IOC member.

    "Though the torch relay went on only three days in Hainan, the passion and dream will stay in all the Hainan people forever," he added.

    The torch relay started from the Sea View Platform, passing the landmarks like the Ever Green Park, the Century Bridge and Hainan University. In all, 208 torchbearers from all walks of life ran through the 30.2 km route.

    During the torch relay, tens of thousands of people had lined the relay route, waving the Olympic "five-ring" flags, red flags, cheering and chanting support for the Beijing Olympic Games.

    This is the last leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in Hainan Province before the flame goes to Guangdong Province on Tuesday night.

Actresses perform at the celebration ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhao Yingquan) Photo Gallery>>>

Torchbearer Xiong Ying, an employee of the Haima Automobile of FAW Group, jumps with excitement during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008.(Xinhua/Ding Lin) Photo Gallery>>>

People cheer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ying) Photo Gallery>>>

Torchbearer Chen Peng runs with the torch on the Century Bridge during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Torchbearer Chen Peng runs with the torch on the Century Bridge during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

People cheer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

People take photos while watching the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

Cheering people watch the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

People cheer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, on May 6, 2008.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>