Chinese athletes join Milan 2026 torch relay in Greece

Four Chinese athletes proudly participated in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics torch relay in Greece on Thursday, highlighting international unity and Olympic spirit.

On Thursday, the Olympic torch relay continued its second day in Greece, with four Chinese athletes participating in the symbolic event near the iconic Rio-Antirrio Bridge close to Patras, Greece's third-largest city.

The torch relay, which began in Ancient Olympia on Wednesday, is set to cover 2,200 kilometers across seven Greek provinces and 23 cities before the flame is handed over to the Italian organizers in Athens on December 4.

Representing China were gymnast Zhang Boheng, track and field athlete Chen Yujie, basketball player Wang Siyu, and trail runner Wu Yongbo. The group joined local torchbearers in carrying the Olympic flame close to the bridge connecting the Peloponnese Peninsula to mainland Greece.

"I feel incredibly proud to participate in this torch relay on behalf of Chinese athletes and the national gymnastics team. This is a great encouragement for me personally," said Zhang Boheng.

"I hope all Chinese winter sports athletes can achieve great results. I want to see everyone fulfill their dreams, enjoy the games, and show their best in Milan," said Wu Yongbo.

The torch relay follows the traditional ceremony held in Ancient Olympia, where the Olympic flame was ignited using the sun's rays at the Temple of Hera. Despite weather disruptions that forced parts of the ceremony indoors this year, organizers emphasized that the Olympic symbolism and message of peace remain undiminished.

The flame, symbolizing peace and unity, continues its journey through Greece before heading to Italy, where preparations are in full swing for the 2026 Winter Games.

Chinese athletes join Milan 2026 torch relay in Greece

Chinese athletes join Milan 2026 torch relay in Greece

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Thursday presided over a State Council executive meeting that studied work on building a unified national market and reviewed and approved a plan for the development of a modern emergency response system during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030).

Noting that building a unified national market is essential to advancing high-quality development, the meeting called for deepening institutional frameworks in areas such as property rights protection, market access, fair competition, social credit and market exit mechanisms.

The meeting also urged efforts to advance high-standard connectivity of market infrastructure to facilitate smooth economic circulation and effectively reduce logistics costs across society.

Emergency management is critical to protecting people's lives and property, the meeting said. It called for accelerating the development of a modern emergency response system, deepening reform and innovation in emergency management, and improving coordinated response mechanisms.

Efforts should be made to strengthen risk prevention at the source, enhance monitoring, forecasting and early warning, and accelerate a shift in governance toward proactive prevention, according to the meeting.

A draft revision of the Law on the People's Bank of China was also discussed and approved in principle at the meeting, which decided to submit the draft to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for deliberation.

Chinese premier chairs State Council executive meeting