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| Everest climb for Olympic torch | Everest climb for Olympic torch |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| The Olympic torch will reach the top of Mount Everest en route to the Beijing games, officials have confirmed. | The Olympic torch will reach the top of Mount Everest en route to the Beijing games, officials have confirmed. |
| The flame will be carried through 20 cities in five continents on its journey from Olympia in Greece. | The flame will be carried through 20 cities in five continents on its journey from Olympia in Greece. |
| But the route may highlight sensitive issues, with potentially controversial stops in Tibet and Taiwan. | But the route may highlight sensitive issues, with potentially controversial stops in Tibet and Taiwan. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Officials also unveiled the new Olympic torch, a red and silver design shaped like a Chinese scroll. | 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. | The 72cm (28-inch) high torch is designed to withstand wind and rain, and is also eco-friendly, officials said. |
| Tibet protest | 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". | 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. | 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. |
| class="" href="/sport1/hi/other_sports/6596577.stm">Torch to visit London | |
| 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. | 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. | 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". |
| There has also been considerable negotiation over the torch's journey to Taiwan. | There has also been considerable negotiation over the torch's journey to Taiwan. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Under the plans that have been unveiled, the torch is go to Taiwan after Vietnam and on the way to Hong Kong. | Under the plans that have been unveiled, the torch is go to Taiwan after Vietnam and on the way to Hong Kong. |
| The flame will be lit on 25 March in Greece at the site of the ancient Olympics. | The flame will be lit on 25 March in Greece at the site of the ancient Olympics. |
| It will then be carried by a series of athletes, celebrities and specially-chosen members of the public to Beijing. | It will then be carried by a series of athletes, celebrities and specially-chosen members of the public to Beijing. |