As the lantern of the sacred Olympic flame appeared in front of the public amid first sun rays?in Canberra?Thursday, the Reconciliation Place in the Australian capital Canberra were immediately overwhelmed by cheers and screaming.
"China, Go! Go! Go! Beijing, Go! Go! Go!," more than 10,000 audience around the starting point of the Canberra leg of torch relay shouted with great excitement.
The audience, many of whom were Chinese-Australians and Chinese students, had already lined up along the 16 kilometers route of the torch relay hours before the pre-dawn fireworks display at Lake Burley Griffin ahead of the official ceremony.
The excitement grew to a new height as Liu Jingping, a Chinese student studying at the University of Melbourne sang the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, drawing echoes and chorus from thousands of Chinese, who waved China's Five-star Red Flag and became tearful at the scene.
"I am very proud that the Olympic Games would be held in Beijing, " said Annie Liu, a Sydney University student from south China's Hunan Province. "We are all proud to be a Chinese today and share our Olympic spirit with Australia people."
"Tibet was, is, and always will be a part of China," Xiao said, "thus any attempt to separate Tibet from China should be denounced and such separatist tricks in the name of Olympic are very despicable."
Xiao's comments were echoed by at least 10,000 people at the scene, which was flooded by China's red flags and supporting banners.
"(We) love China forever," read one banner. "Bravos, China," said another.
"No one can extinguish the spirit of the Olympic flame," said one placard.
"There are 56 ethinics (in China). No matter which I belong to, I love China as my Mum," said the other and numerous more.
Chinese unity and enthusiasm also moved local Canberrans who showed up at the starting pointing for the torch relay.
"I are surprised to see such a great number of Chinese here and I can feel their enthusiasm," said Chris Brand, "it was a beautiful thing actually."
Brand said she believe China will do well in organizing the Olympics because it is in China as Australian did in previous Games.
The first torch bearer Tania Major, Young Australian of the Year in 2007 for her work in indigenous communities, was also moved by the surroundings.
"To be honest, I felt the uncertainty this morning but when I started off and walk through the emotions and excitement, particularly from the Chinese community and the Australian community in the spirit of Olympic, it was just fantastic," said an excited Major when she completed her leg of torch running.
"It is such an honor to be the first runner for the torch relay, " she said, "given the international spotlight today, to be the first runner of the torch relay is the top excitement for me."
While commenting on her dream towards the Beijing Olympics, Major said she hope the Beijing Olympics comes with peace and people are going out there to celebrate the spirit of Olympic.
After Major's first torch running, 79 other torch bearers concluded the 16 kilometers leg of torch relay peacefully in Canberra amid cheering crowds lining along the streets.
Last torch bearer and Australia swimming legend Ian Thorpe igniting the cauldron at the finishing point at around 11:30 a.m. Thursday (0130 GMT) at Stage 88 of the Commonwealth Park, concluding the only leg of torch relay in Oceania.
After the Canberra leg of torch relay, the sacred flame of Beijing Olympics left for Nagano of Japan for the 16th leg of torch relay overseas.
(Xinhua News Agency April 25, 2008)