Updated Aug 5, 2008 - 4:51 pm
Former Governor Gary Locke carries Olympic torch in China
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MyNorthwest.com
Former Governor Gary Locke traveled to Chengdu, China to carry the Olympic torch August 5th, on one of its final legs on the path to Beijing. "I just finished participating in the Olympic Torch relay in the capital city of Chegdu in the province of Sichuan, which is actually the sister state with our state of Washington." Sichuan Province and Washington State formally signed a sister state-friendship agreement on October 11th, 1982. This agreement marked the first of this type of relationship between a U.S. state and China.
Locke, the first Chinese Governor in the United States, appreciates the Chinese government extending him such an opportunity. "I feel very privileged and honored to have been invited by the Chinese government to participate in this torch relay--because it's the sister state of Washington state and I'm the first Chinese-American Governor in the history of the United States."
The streets in China were markedly different from other countries where the torch traveled through obstacles of protest and controversy. "There's no protests along the torch relay route here in China, of course there's so much pride among the Chinese that China is hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
"They've gone to great lengths to build and construct so many incredible stadiums and venues, and facilities for the Olympics. In many ways this is showcasing the incredible progress and modernization that China has undergone in the last twenty or so years," says Locke who has seen tremendous growth and modernization in China from his first visit ten years ago.
The goal of friendship agreements among states, to encourage a world community of cooperation and exchange is similar to the Olympic spirit that Locke observed in his participation at the games. "It just shows how connected we are all around the world, to each other, when you have the Olympics assembling the best athletes from around the world, competing and developing friendship, and camaraderie, being ambassadors all through sports."
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