Flame of Chengdu Universiade transferred to Beijing ahead of torch relay

A staff member displays the World University Games flame before boarding the plane at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

CHENGDU, June 8 (Xinhua) -- The launch ceremony of the torch relay for the 31st FISU Summer World University Games was held at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport on Thursday.

Under an escort of 21 members, the flame was transferred by the aircraft to Beijing where the torch relay officially starts on Saturday. The torch relay is scheduled to run until July 28, when the Universiade opens in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.

The name of the torch "Ronghuo" is taken from Chengdu's abbreviation "Rong," which also implies "integration" and "inclusiveness" in Chinese.

The front side of the torch features a giant panda, with its top incorporating Chengdu's city image of "Sun and Immortal Birds" and its side looking like the Bronze Standing Figure from the Sanxingdui Ruins.

The flame had arrived in Chengdu after being collected in Turin, Italy, host city of the first FISU World University Games.

Photo taken on June 8, 2023 shows the plane carrying the World University Games flame at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Staff members carry the World University Games flame to the plane at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Staff members hold the World University Games flame at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Staff members hold the World University Games flame at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Staff members carry the World University Games flame to the plane at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Staff members carry the World University Games flame to the plane at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province, on June 8, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)

Photo taken on June 8, 2023 shows the World University Games flame at the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Wang Xi)