(Lin Shujuan)
Updated: 2008-05-23 08:12

SHANGHAI: "If you have a chance to visit the earthquake-hit area, please extend your arms and hug every child you meet," fencing Paralympian Jin Jing said here on Monday.

Jin became a household name after her display of courage in protecting the Olympic torch in Paris, when a pro-Tibet "independence" protester tried to snatch it from her.

Jin made the plea in her role as charity ambassador for Lenovo at a press conference ahead of the Olympic torch relay in Shanghai, her hometown.

Shanghai -- the first centrally administered municipality to host the torch on the mainland - will stage the relay today and tomorrow.

People in the city have been keen to show their support and sympathy for the victims of the Sichuan earthquake, following three days of national mourning.

Wang Wei, vice-secretary of the Shanghai municipal government, said all parties, carnivals and fireworks had been canceled as a mark of respect.

Donation boxes will be placed along the route of the relay, and volunteers from all walks of life are being encouraged to come forward, "as the rebuilding of Sichuan will require expertise in all fields", Wang said.

As well as celebrities like Hong Kong actors Tony Leung Ka-Fai and Zhang Jie, and members of the Chinese Academy of Science, the list of Shanghai torchbearers includes Dr Sun Yuli, Major-General Chen Fei and IT engineer Bu Zhiyong, all of whom are volunteers who have recently visited or are soon to visit the quake-ravaged regions of Sichuan.

Sun is set to join a medical team in the province. Her husband, who is also a doctor, has been working in Sichuan for the past week, so she has been keeping in touch with what is happening and what people need.

"I call him once a day to find out what is most needed," she said.

"When I go there, I will be well prepared.

Jin said she had been heartened by the love people had shown for the orphans in Sichuan province.

"I'm really glad to see there are thousands of couples willing to adopt these orphaned children," the 27-year-old, who lost part of her right leg at the age of 9 due to a tumor in her ankle, said.

"But there is one thing I want to say to them all.

"These children, who have suffered huge trauma, might have cold hearts at the moment, so if you intend to warm them, be prepared for that.

"Please don't give up. Constant love and support is what it takes to restore the warmth, and help them recover."

Asked if she was referring to her own loss, Jin said: "No. I've experienced hard times, but they are incomparable to this.

"I always had my family, friends and relatives with me. These children have suffered a disaster, they might not even have families anymore."