STARRY-EYED: Torch-bearers yesterday included celebrities like actress Huang Shengyi, adding a touch of glamour to the relay in Sanya. -- ST CHUA CHIN HON

Tens of thousands of ordinary Chinese lined the streets of this resort city in southern Hainan province to cheer the torch-bearers, waving the national flag and chanting: 'Go China! Go Olympics!'

Movie stars, top Chinese athletes and beauty queens who ran parts of the relay also lent a touch of glamour to the event, which marked an end to the politically-charged atmosphere surrounding the Beijing Olympic torch relay.

The torch's international journey, which began on April 2, was a veritable lightning rod for criticisms about China's rights record and handling of the Tibet issue.

But these issues are likely to fade in media prominence now that China is running the torch relay on its own terms.

Indeed, conspicuously missing from the home-made banners and placards yesterday were those criticising international broadcaster CNN, France, or French supermarket chain Carrefour. These had been targets for criticisms and protests in the mainland following the outbreak of unrest in Tibet last month and the disastrous international tour of the torch relay.

Many on the mainland were upset with CNN for its perceived 'biased Western coverage', while the French came under heavy fire for their alleged support for Tibetan activists and attempts to disrupt the torch relay.

There were initial concerns that such resentment of the West would be inflamed during the torch relay in Sanya, which coincided with the anniversary of the May Fourth Movement, a cultural awakening among China's intellectuals in 1919 with anti-imperialist overtones.

Such fears, however, seemed unfounded. Only a small handful of Chinese youth were seen waving placards or wearing T-shirts with mild criticisms of the Tibetan independence movement.

As the torch relay made its way through Sanya, President Hu Jintao was quoted by the official Xinhua news agency as saying that he hoped an ongoing meeting between Beijing and envoys of the Dalai Lama would yield 'positive results'.

A day earlier, Mr Hu also called on Chinese students to channel their patriotism into their studies - the implicit message being that Beijing did not want to see them mobilise more protests against Carrefour or CNN.

Onlookers interviewed by The Straits Times yesterday did not appear particularly concerned about the politics surrounding the torch relay.

Many said they were simply looking forward to catching a glimpse of the torch and the celebrities - such as film stars Jackie Chan and Zhang Ziyi - who were picked to take part in the relay.

'Yes, I was very upset with the disruptions in Paris and San Francisco, but now that the torch relay is back in China, I don't think anyone would dare try anything like that,' said 17-year-old student Li Wei.

The only thing that appeared to trouble security officials yesterday was the crowd's overwhelming enthusiasm.

While most supporters were content to cheer loudly and sing the national anthem when the torch got near, hundreds of others would surge forward and try to clamber over the police cordon for a closer look.

This forced the security officials to scramble and push the spectators back to the pavement. Others climbed up trees, giant billboards, and rooftops for a better view.

No major accident was reported, though yesterday's proceedings suggested that crowd safety would likely be the top concern for what is otherwise expected to be a peaceful 97-day journey for the domestic leg of the Olympic torch relay.

A bold plan to take a special flame to the top of Mount Everest, however, faced a setback at the weekend as heavy snow fell on the world's highest mountain.

The torch had previously travelled to 21 cities outside of mainland China.

The relay will eventually end its tour of 113 mainland Chinese cities in the capital Beijing, where the lighting of the main Olympic cauldron on Aug 8 will mark the official start to the 29th Summer Olympiad.

chinhon@sph.com.sg

Hu hopes for progress as Tibet talks start