With flags waving and lions dancing, Macao welcomed the sacred Flame of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games that arrived on Friday night.

Stepping out from the chartered plane, Executive Vice President of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, Yang Shu'an displayed the lantern which holds the Olympic Flame.

"As the Olympic Flame arrives in Macao for the first time in history, and we would like to extend out gratefulness to the central government, and wish the Macao-leg relay and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games a complete success," Chui Sai On, secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Special Administrative Region (SAR).

Chui and several other officials and leaders of the Macao Olympic Committee (MOC) attended the welcome ceremony at the Macao international airport.

After its journey across 20 cities around the globe, the Olympic Flame will begin its relay in Macao, the last leg of the "Journey of Harmony" outside the Chinese mainland.

A total of 120 torchbearers will participate in the relay on May 3, which includes 69 invited torchbearers, 15 publicly elected ones, 12 designated by the International Olympic Committee and 24 selected by global sponsors of the Beijing Olympic Games, according to the MOC.

As regards the weather condition on Saturday, the organizers have prepared enough raincoats for the torchbearers, in case it rains, said Manuel Silverio, first vice president of MOC, at the airport.

He added that local police will follow the laws in handling protests that may occur during the relay, but he still hoped that every one can respect the event itself and the concerted efforts made by many in Macao for the preparations of the relay.

As was scheduled, the organizers will also stage a show and fireworks Saturday to mark the historic Olympic torch relay in Macao.

(Xinhua News Agency May 3, 2008)