This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7544252.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Olympic relay in Beijing climax Olympic relay in Beijing climax
(about 3 hours later)
The Olympic flame is being carried through the streets of Beijing, on the final leg of its global relay.The Olympic flame is being carried through the streets of Beijing, on the final leg of its global relay.
Torch bearers left the Forbidden City and will carry the flame to landmarks such as Tiananmen Square ahead of Friday's opening ceremony of the Games. Torch bearers left the Forbidden City and carried the flame to landmarks such as Tiananmen Square ahead of Friday's opening ceremony of the Games.
The torch has travelled 140,000km (87,000 miles) through six continents since it left Greece on 24 March.The torch has travelled 140,000km (87,000 miles) through six continents since it left Greece on 24 March.
The relay has been marked by protests over China's human-rights record and its policies in Tibet.The relay has been marked by protests over China's human-rights record and its policies in Tibet.
Cheering, flag-waving crowds acclaimed the Olympic torch as it began its last leg on Wednesday. Cheering, flag-waving crowds greeted the Olympic torch as it began its last leg on Wednesday.
Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei and basketball star Yao Ming are scheduled to join more than 800 torch bearers taking part in the three-day relay across the city of 17 million people. One of China's best-known sportsmen, basketball star Yao Ming, carried the torch through Tiananmen Square, receiving a rapturous reception from the crowd.
Tiananmen tour More than 800 torch bearers are taking part in the three-day relay across the city of 17 million people.
On Tuesday, the flame passed through Sichuan province, which was devastated by an earthquake in May.On Tuesday, the flame passed through Sichuan province, which was devastated by an earthquake in May.
A minute's silence was held in Guang'an city, honouring almost 70,000 people who were killed in the quake.A minute's silence was held in Guang'an city, honouring almost 70,000 people who were killed in the quake.
CHINA RELAY CITIES IN FOCUS China torch map Use the map to see the full Olympic torch relay route or read about some of the key cities: Full route map, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Xiamen, Jinggangshan, Shanghai, Nanjing, Huangshan, Three Gorges, Kaili, Lhasa, Urumqi, Xian, Yanji, Qufu, Anyang, Beijing.
The torch had been scheduled to visit Sichuan in mid-June, but the area's relay leg was postponed because of the quake, which left around five million people homeless.The torch had been scheduled to visit Sichuan in mid-June, but the area's relay leg was postponed because of the quake, which left around five million people homeless.
Foreigners arrested
China's authorities have said they are confident that all athletes and spectators will be safe, after an attack by suspected separatist Muslim militants killed 16 policemen on Monday in the western region of Xinjiang.China's authorities have said they are confident that all athletes and spectators will be safe, after an attack by suspected separatist Muslim militants killed 16 policemen on Monday in the western region of Xinjiang.
Four protesters from Britain and the US were detained by police on Wednesday
A spokesman for the organisers said preparations had been made to protect some 10,500 athletes from 205 countries during the Olympics.A spokesman for the organisers said preparations had been made to protect some 10,500 athletes from 205 countries during the Olympics.
"China has focused on strengthening security and protection around Olympic venues and at the Olympics Village, so Beijing is already prepared to respond to any threat," Beijing Games spokesman Sun Weide was quoted as saying."China has focused on strengthening security and protection around Olympic venues and at the Olympics Village, so Beijing is already prepared to respond to any threat," Beijing Games spokesman Sun Weide was quoted as saying.
Officials in the co-host city of Shanghai say all shops and businesses in the metro stations have now been closed until after the Olympic Games because of public security concerns.Officials in the co-host city of Shanghai say all shops and businesses in the metro stations have now been closed until after the Olympic Games because of public security concerns.
The operator of the underground rail system, Shentong Metro Group, said the move would affect more than 1,000 shops, and even vending machines would be closed. It said it would not provide compensation for business owners.The operator of the underground rail system, Shentong Metro Group, said the move would affect more than 1,000 shops, and even vending machines would be closed. It said it would not provide compensation for business owners.
Meanwhile state media reported that four pro-Tibet activists from Britain and the US had been arrested in Beijing after a brief protest close to the Olympic stadium.
They had unfurled two large "Free Tibet" banners from electricity poles, despite tight security.
The international leg of the torch's tour earlier this year was marred by protests in several cities - including London, Paris and San Francisco.The international leg of the torch's tour earlier this year was marred by protests in several cities - including London, Paris and San Francisco.
Activists demonstrated against China's human-rights record and its handling of violent anti-Beijing protests in March in Tibet.Activists demonstrated against China's human-rights record and its handling of violent anti-Beijing protests in March in Tibet.
The International Olympic Committee said it believed the Chinese authorities had done everything possible "to ensure the security and safety of everyone at the Games".The International Olympic Committee said it believed the Chinese authorities had done everything possible "to ensure the security and safety of everyone at the Games".
The IOC has also assured athletes that the smog which often plagues the city would not pose major health problems.The IOC has also assured athletes that the smog which often plagues the city would not pose major health problems.
Do you wonder how a major sporting event like the Olympics comes together? Send us your questions on the Olympics - and a BBC correspondent in China will answer a selection of your queries.Do you wonder how a major sporting event like the Olympics comes together? Send us your questions on the Olympics - and a BBC correspondent in China will answer a selection of your queries.
Are you going see the final leg of the torch relay?Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions Are you going see the final leg of the torch relay?Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Read the terms and conditions
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws.
Name
 Name