Big names and celebrities carried the Asiad torch through Shenzhen, the host city of the 2011 Summer Universiade, attracting thousands of local residents celebrating along the itinerary on Monday.

Thousands of local residents waving red and yellow flags with signs of torch and Asian Games gathered outside the setting-off site in Lianhuashan, where the city of Shenzhen started 30 years ago.

?The first torchbearer Liu Gang (L) receives 'The Tide' at the Torch Relay for the 16th Asian Games in Shenzhen.

The relay was started by Liu Gang, champion of shooting in 15th Asian Games in 2006. Liu Gang now preparing for the coming Asian Games in November said he felt so nervous that he couldn't fall asleep the night before the relay.

Wang Shi, Chairman of China Vanke Co. Ltd, one of the largest property enterprises in China based in Shenzhen, finished his run in the middle course of the torch relay in the 21th place bearing the torch.

Wang told China Daily he takes the honour of bearing the torch as a sort of social recognition and realization. Wearing an orange-coloured suit of sport uniform and white running shoes, Wang with the calmness and confidence resulting from conquering the highest mountains in seven continents explains his understanding of sportsmanship in Games.

"The true meaning of the sports is to overcome and to breakthrough the self limitation," said Wang, "even though with social identity is an entrepreneur I think the brave of facing with the challenge is more".

Based on his own experience of sporting, Wang said the core lies on its sunshine-like transparency. "It (the spirit of participating) pushes people to maintain the youth."

Liu Changle, Chairman of Phoenix New Media Inc, one of the most fluent media companies in China, was in the 66th place of torch bearing.

Liu believed the Games reflect well the necessity of fulfilling citizen health programme. "I lost the weight of nearly 25kg in one year...It (health) is the real meaning of sports."

Tan Jing, the famous singer across China, ran the 79th leg in the place of bearing the torch. "I was honoured to be the torch bearer again," said Tan, who was also the Olympic torch bearer in 2008, "I think the Games are great media to convey friendship and love in the international community."

Zhu Shiqing, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, ran the last leg. The respected scholar pushing the high-qualified university education said he felt very happy.

Shenzhen celebrated its 30th anniversary this August.

The flame has travelled eight cities. Over the next score of days, the torch will stop in other 15 cities before wrapping up its journey in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province.