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Locals light a torch for Asian Games

A cheerleading team from National Taiwan College of Physical Education performs at yesterday's ceremony in Nantou County for the lighting of the Asian Games torch. PHOTO: HSIEH FENG-CHIU, TAIPEI TIMES

Taiwan lit its torch for the Busan Asian Games in Nantou County amid much fanfare yesterday.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Premier Yu Shyi-kun attended the ceremony held at a monument in Nantou's Puli township, which marks the geographic center point of Taiwan.

A Bunun tribal leader lit the torch in a traditional way using a flint amid performances of aboriginal songs and dances.

He then passed the torch to President Chen, Premier Yu, Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee Chairman Huang Ta-chou (黃大洲) and nine other "torch ambassadors."

Chen said lighting the torch symbolizes Taiwan's determination to contribute to peace, democracy and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

This is the first time that all of the 43 member states of the Asian Olympic Committee will be allowed to light their own torches for the Asian Games scheduled for Sept. 30 to Oct. 15 in Busan, South Korea. The torch of each participating country will be taken to Busan after having circled major cities of the respective countries.

All the torches will be used simultaneously to light the Busan Asian Games torch at the Sept. 29 opening ceremony.

Fourteen outstanding local athletes and scores of young aboriginal marathon runners carried the Taiwan torch around Puli's downtown area, with a flower-and-fruit-decorated float leading the way.

The torch is scheduled to arrive at the summit of Mount Jade -- Taiwan's highest mountain at 3,952 meters -- at 9:30am today. Half an hour later the image of the torch will be transmitted via satellite to the Taipei Municipal Stadium where a bronze tripod will be lit to mark the completion of the torch-lighting event.

The Nantou County Government mobilized more than 4,000 people, including students, volunteers and policemen, to welcome the torch. along major Puli streets.
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