People pay a silent tribute to the victims of the May 12 earthquake hitting southwest and northwest China before the start of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games torch relay in Guang'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 3, 2008. [Xinhua]

Torchbearer Chen Jing (R) displays the torch with the next torchbearer Li Liangguo in front of the bronze statue of China's late leader Deng Xiaoping during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games torch relay in Guang'an City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, August 3, 2008. [Xinhua]

Guang'an hosted the first leg of the torch relay in the quake-hit province. A minute of silence was observed for the victims of the May 12th earthquake at the beginning of the relay.

Jiang Min, a policewoman who lost 10 relatives in the earthquake, including her two-year-old daughter and her parents, was the first torch bearer. She has continued to help with relief efforts alongside other police and soldiers despite her loss, and has become a symbol of bravery in the face of overwhelming tragedy.

The ninth torch bearer, Chen Jing, carried the torch to the memorial park of Deng Xiaoping, the first leader to express China's wish to host the Olympic Games. In front of the sculpture of the late Chinese leader, Chen lit the torch in the hand of his fellow villager Li Liangguo.

People marched through the relay route, waving flags and banners, as cars honked their support.