Li Zhuobin, Vice Mayor of Guangzhou, met the advance group of the Torch Relay Project of the 2006 Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee at the Garden Hotel this evening.

Mr. Li expressed his gratitude to Olympic Council of Asia for choosing Beijing and Guangzhou as the torch relay cities for 2006 Doha Asian Games.

He said Guangzhou would do an excellent job on the torch relay in-keeping with the spirit of the Olympic and Asian Games, and that the event would further inspire Guangzhou people's enthusiasm for the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

It was learned that the purpose of the visit concerns arrangements for the leg of the torch relay to be held in Guangzhou. During the visit, the Doha group will meet with officials of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee to discuss the preparations for the torch relay and review the relay route and facilities in person.

This is the second round of discussions to be held between the Guangzhou and Doha Asian Games Organizing Committees concerning the Guangzhou leg of the torch relay.

Editor: Yan