(China Daily)
Updated: 2008-04-11 07:36

The unseasonable snow in London did little to dampen the people's passion for Beijing Olympic torch relay as large crowds lined the streets to greet it on Sunday, says a commentary in Xinhua News Agency. The following is an excerpt:

People hailed the passage of the Beijing Olympics flame in London, Paris and San Francisco with singing and dancing, as they experienced the Olympic spirit of peace and friendship.

However, a few "pro-Tibet independence" activists attempted to sabotage the torch relay. They tried to grab the torch from its bearers, and extinguish the flame. These acts constitute a grave violation of the Olympic spirit.

The Olympic Games are a grand festival for people all over the world. The International Olympic Committee and other international organizations have reiterated time and again that the Olympic Games are non-political and transcend political ideology.

As a sacred symbol of the Games, the torch is meant to spread the ideals of peace and friendship. Any attempt motivated by political bias, to instigate some extremist groups and individuals to sabotage the Olympic torch relay victimizes not only the Games, but the Olympic spirit that embodies the lofty ideals of mankind.

The development of all countries today is closely interrelated than ever before. People of various countries need more mutual understanding and respect. The Olympic Games provides a platform for all people to enhance understanding, bridge differences and strengthen friendship.

The torch relay serves as a bridge across social differences and as a link between different cultures.

"One World, One dream", the slogan for 2008 Beijing Olympics, reflects not only the main theme of the present era: peace and development, but also the common aspiration of all people for a brighter future.

However, some "pro-Tibet independence" activists are still stubbornly going against the trend of history by trying every means to undermine the Games. Their efforts are doomed to failure.

(China Daily 04/11/2008 page8)