He loves China, believes in peace

XINING: He has been in love with China for 37 years. And he has seen its rapid growth during the past three decades.

Pride was added to John L. Holden's double happiness yesterday, when he became one of the two foreigners to carry the Olympic torch in Qinghai province.

The familiar way the 56-year-old American greeted the people in Xining did not raise a doubt that he was visiting the city for the first time. His fluent Chinese and amiable nature gave the feeling he was meeting old friends.