First torchbearer Zhou Biaoliang (Photo credit: Miao Lidong)

(BOSE, Southwest China, June 8) -- Who better to run the first leg of the torch relay in Bose than a guide of the future of China? Hope Elementary School principal Zhou Biaoliang was given the honor of carrying the sacred flame first along its relay route on Sunday, June 8, which commenced at 9:38 a.m. The institution was once supported by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping.

The Bose relay is split into two portions: In the morning, runners will tour Pingguo County, while in the afternoon, torchbearers will explore the city of Bose itself.

The launching ceremony took place at Pingguo's 192,000 square meter Culture Park, which lies at the center of the county. Early in the morning, supporters came out in droves to support the Olympic torch relay.

Before the relay began, a moment of silence was observed to honor the victims of China's recent earthquake.

This morning's 7 kilometer route was traversed by 86 torchbearers, the last of whom ran to the gate of Pingguo County's aluminum factory district.

In Bose, the torch relay runners will start out from the plaza in front of the railway station and end at another plaza commemorating the city's uprising. 122 torchbearers plan to take part this portion of the relay, which spans 16 kilometers.

Bose is a city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and neighbors Yunnan Province to the west. To its north lies Guizhou Province, to its east Nanning, Guangxi's capital city, and not far south is Vietnam. Numerous ethnic minorities reside here, including members of the Zhuang, Yao, Miao, Hui, and Yi groups.

Bose was a key city for Deng Xiaoping, who led a regiment of the Chinese Red Army here.

Bose's Pingguo County is famed as the aluminum capital of China's south. About 20 years ago, thanks to a large investment from the country, Pingguo's aluminum manufacturing industry grew rapidly along banks of the Jiang River. At present, Pingguo County's aluminum factory is the largest of its kind in Asia.