2 become 1 in Beijing

In a bid to highlight the theme of "transcendence, equality, integration", the Paralympic torch relay will start today at the China Millennium Monument, a symbolic and commemorative piece of architecture built to welcome the arrival of the year 2000.

"A total of 240 torchbearers will participate in the 12-km relay in Beijing over two days," Sun Xuecai, deputy director of the Beijing sports administration, told a news conference yesterday.

Today will begin with a ceremony at 8:15 am, when the torches from the Modern and Ancient routes come together to light the cauldron.