On June 17th, 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay started in Urumqi. 208 torch bearers took part in the relay. People of all nationalities in Urumqi witnessed the exciting moment and cheered for the Olympics and China.
At 9:30 am Beijing Time on June 17th, the torch relay started. Wang Lequan, member of the Political Bureau of CPC Central Committee, secretary of CPC XJ Committee, and other leaders of XJ including Nuer Baikeli attended the setting off ceremony. Wan Siquan, member of Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the 29th Olympiad, former vice chairman of CPPCC Beijing Municipality Committee also attended the setting off ceremony.
Before the Olympic torch relay, all the participants mourned for the dead in Wenchuan earthquake for one minute.
Nuer Baikeli, Deputy Secretary of CPC XJ Committee, Chairman of XJ Uygur Autonomous Region gave a speech at the setting off ceremony.
At the setting off ceremony, Wan Siquan,the flame envoy of Beijing Olympic Organization Committee, lighted the torch and passed it to Wang Lequan. Wang passed the torch to the first torch bearer in XJ and  announced the start of the torch relay.
Wang Lequan
Member Of The Political Bureau Of CPC Central Committee
Secretary Of CPC XJ Committee
"Hereby I declare the start of Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay in Urumqi."
Famous Uygur boxer Abuduxiku'er Mijiti, also honored as Chinese Boxing King held high the torch with people's cheering, and started the torch relay in XJ.
The torch passed Dongfeng Road, North Heping Road, Renmin Road, North Xinhua Road, Xidaqiao, South Youhao Road, North Youhao Road, Xinyi Road, South Beijing Road, Middle Beijing Road and ended at XJ Sports Center, with a total length of 12.48 kilometers. Over 200,000 people of different nationalities cheered along the roads of torch relay, and expressed their best wishes for the Olympics and China.
Among the 208 torch bearers, there are senior citizens aged over 70, and also Young Pioneers aged only over 10. The torch bearers also include foreigners and renowned personages from the entertainment circle. All of them were in high spirit. The last torch bearer was Wang Yanhong, a disabled athlete of XJ, and the champ in shooting at 2004 Athens Paralympics. At 12:50 am, she held high the torch and ran towards the terminal at the west square of XJ Sports Center, and lighted the flame cauldron amid the cheers of the people.
Nuer Baikeli and other leaders of XJ attended the closing ceremony of the torch relay. Wan Siquan, member of the BOCOG, former vice chairman of CPPCC Beijing Municipality Committee also attended the closing ceremony.
Representatives of BOCOG presented the torch to Nuer Baikeli, deputy secretary of CPC XJ Committee, Chairman of XJ Uygur Autonomous Region, and presented the torch relay certificate to Ji'erla Yishamuding, acting mayor of Urumqi City.
At last, Nuer Baikeli declared the conclusion of the 2008 Beijing Torch Relay in Urumqi of XJ.
Nuer Baikeli
Deputy Secretary Of CPC XJ Committee
Chairman Of XJ Uygur Autonomous Region
"Hereby I declare that the Beijing 2008 Olympic torch relay in Urumqi completes."
On June 18th, the Olympic torch will start relay in Kashgar of South XJ.