It is hoped the torch relay for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will cover many parts of China including Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, Beijing's Party Secretary Liu Qi has announced.

　　“The relay line will begin to be designed in the latter half of the year,” said Liu in an interview with China Central Television on Sunday. He is also president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad （BOCOG）.

　　A BOCOG official said the plan will not be finalized until early 2008. “The BOCOG has not yet reached agreements with the Olympic committees of Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong and Macao,” the official surnamed Hu said. The torch relay is expected to last for three months, just before the 2008 Games, added Hu.

　　Liu Qi also expressed his wish to conduct the relay internationally. “We want to take the Olympic spirit to various countries including developed and developing ones,” said Liu.

　　He said there would be some cheap tickets for visitors to the 29th Olympic Games. “We want to encourage more people to watch the events on site,” he said. Some tickets will be more expensive though, he added.