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/6595235.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
China torch relay to be unveiled Everest climb for Olympic torch
(about 4 hours later)
The official route of the Olympic torch for the 2008 Beijing games is due to be revealed later on Thursday. The Olympic torch will reach the top of Mount Everest en route to the Beijing games, officials have confirmed.
The flame will be carried to Beijing by a relay of athletes from the site of the ancient Olympics in Greece. The flame will be carried through 20 cities in five continents on its journey from Olympia in Greece.
However, speculation about the route has thrown the spotlight on two politically sensitive issues. But the route may highlight sensitive issues, with potentially controversial stops in Tibet and Taiwan.
Beijing is expected to announce the torch will be carried through Taiwan and Tibet - both of which have controversial ties with China. China sees both Taiwan and Tibet as part of its territory. Taiwan says it will accept the torch only if it is not part of the domestic leg of the relay.
The highlight of Beijing's planned relay is to take the torch to the summit of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, straddling the border with Tibet and Nepal. Officials also unveiled the new Olympic torch, a red and silver design shaped like a Chinese scroll.
The 72cm (28-inch) high torch is designed to withstand wind and rain, and is also eco-friendly, officials said.
Tibet protest
At a ceremony in Beijing, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said that torch relay would "be a journey of harmony, friendship and respect to people of different nationalities races and creeds".
Liu Qi, head of Beijing's Olympic organising committee, said the route would "cover the longest distance and be the most inclusive" in Olympic history.
The new design represents an ancient Chinese scroll
The highlight of the 137,000km (85,000-mile) journey is expected to be the torch's planned ascent in May of the world's highest mountain, Everest, which straddles the border between Tibet and Nepal.
But its path through Tibet may trigger protests from critics of Beijing's rule. China invaded Tibet in 1950 and its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, lives in exile in India.
Four US activists were arrested on Everest on Wednesday after unfurling a banner calling for Tibet's independence as Chinese climbers were carrying out relay assessments.Four US activists were arrested on Everest on Wednesday after unfurling a banner calling for Tibet's independence as Chinese climbers were carrying out relay assessments.
They were still believed to be in detention on Thursday. China said it was investigating the incident and warned foreign citizens against engaging in "activities concerning the sovereignty and unity of China".They were still believed to be in detention on Thursday. China said it was investigating the incident and warned foreign citizens against engaging in "activities concerning the sovereignty and unity of China".
Compromise There has also been considerable negotiation over the torch's journey to Taiwan.
While many in self-governed Taiwan are said to be keen to see the torch come to the island, there have reportedly been lengthy negotiations over the details of its delivery. While many in self-governed Taiwan were said to be keen for the torch to come, some feared that if the torch entered and exited via Beijing, it would appear to endorse China's view that Taiwan is part of its territory.
Some fear that if the torch enters and leaves via Beijing, it will appear to endorse China's view that Taiwan is part of its territory. Under the plans that have been unveiled, the torch is go to Taiwan after Vietnam and on the way to Hong Kong.
The Everest protest highlights some political concerns over the games The flame will be lit on 25 March in Greece at the site of the ancient Olympics.
"That would undermine Taiwan as a sovereign country," Wang Shu-hui, a Taiwanese MP, said. It will then be carried by a series of athletes, celebrities and specially-chosen members of the public to Beijing.
Correspondents say the likely compromise will be that the torch arrives in Taiwan from a different country, such as Japan or South Korea and leaves for Hong Kong.
As with previous Olympics, the flame will be lit in Athens several months before the games begins and carried by a series of athletes, celebrities and specially-chosen members of the public to Beijing.
The International Olympic Committee said on Thursday it had approved the route, which will be revealed by Chinese organisers later.