Olympic flame leaves Greece for France

The Olympic flame for the Paris 2024 has begun its journey for France following a ceremony held at the Greek port of Piraeus on Saturday.

It is now traveling across the Mediterranean onboard the 128-year-old French vessel, Belem, and is expected to arrive in Marseille on May 8.

Hundreds of people watched the ceremony as the flame was brought onboard at the port's cruise terminal to the accompaniment of Greece's naval band. The Olympic flame was in a metal lantern made from recycled steel, alongside a Paris 2024 mascot.

"It's reminiscent of another era. The vessel certainly feels like it came out of a movie; it's cinematic. I wish we could be closer and see the events up close and personal, but unfortunately, that's not possible. But just having the opportunity, our city had the honor of welcoming the boat and handing over the flame, I am very happy," said a local resident proudly.

The Belem, a three-masted sailing vessel, was built in 1896, when the first modern Olympic games were held in Athens. It was first used for cargo transport, but in 1914 was sold to a British aristocrat who converted the ship into a luxury yacht. After many decades it became a training vessel for the Italian Navy.

During its 11-day stay in Greece, the historic boat was visited by thousands of people, including many tourists.

"We're very proud the vessel is here in Greece. The Olympic flame will go from Athens to Marseille, passing on the baton from the mythical stadium on an interim basis. I'm lucky to be with my wife on vacation in Greece for a week and to be able to see the whole ceremony. We got up very early this morning to get a front-row seat and also see the vessel," said a French tourist.

Setting sail from the port of Piraeus, the ship will dock at the port city of Marseille on May 8, before it takes the flame on a tour across France and its overseas regions including New Caledonia and French Polynesia.

The 2024 Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, with the Paralympic Games from August 28 to September 8.

Olympic flame leaves Greece for France

The Global Trade and Investment Promotion Summit 2024, a high-level dialogue platform for global business communities, released the Beijing Initiative on Monday, calling for accelerating global economic recovery and enhancing industrial collaboration to ensure supply chain stability.

The summit, hosted by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), was held in Beijing on Monday. More than 750 people from international organizations, foreign chambers of commerce, global trade promotion organizations, enterprises, among others, participated in the summit. Delivering a speech at the opening ceremony, Chinese Vice President Han Zheng said China will continue expanding high-level opening up and sharing its development dividends with all parties.

Among the major outcomes of the summit is the launch of the Beijing Initiative. It advocates for accelerating global economic recovery through the WTO-centered multilateral trading system and ensuring the stability and smooth flow of industrial and supply chains by enhancing industrial specialization and collaboration.

In addition, the initiative advocates active involvement in shaping AI governance frameworks and standards to promote its development for human welfare. It also emphasizes fostering momentum for green and low-carbon growth.

"(The Beijing Initiative aims to) actively implement UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adapting to green, low-carbon development while promoting the free flow of high-quality green technology and products. Besides, it aims to build a green, low-carbon circular economy, and foster a comprehensive green transition in economic and social development," said CCPIT chairman Ren Hongbin.

The initiative also urges global business communities to create practical platforms for economic and trade cooperation, and establish a fair, transparent, stable and predictable trade environment.

China calls for accelerating global economic recovery, industrial collaboration at key trade summit