The World Harmony Run between Chita (Russia) and Xailar (China) is over. The relay began in Chita on May 8th at 10 am, and it finished on May 17th on the main square of Xulunbuir town. The main team consisted of representatives from 9 Russian cities: Chita, Krasnoyarsk, Moscow, N.Novgorod, Vladivostok, Nakhodka, Omsk, Irkutsk, Ulan-Ude. The team members’ ages varied from 14 to 57 years old. They were people of various professions: teachers, engineers, musicians, and schoolchildren. The team has covered 516 km to Manchuria through Chita, Darasun, Aginskoe, Olovyannaya, Borzya, Xaranor, Dauria, Zabaikalsk. In all these towns and villages there were meetings and concerts, common runs with the schoolchildren, local administration and citizens. Between the towns, on the highway, people stopped their cars and bicycles in order to run with the Torch a few meters, to contribute to Global Harmony. In the Chita region approximately 2500 people held the Torch. Chita regional radio and TV showed the diary of the World Harmony Run.

On May 15 the team crossed the border between Russia and China. The runners were welcomed by the mayor of Manchuria city, Mr. Yuin Guan Jun, and other Chinese officials, on the State Gate square. Chinese athletes and the main team, surviving the strong winds, reached the Red Army Park, where the official ceremony took place of placing flowers at the monument of Soviet soldiers. Runners exchanged gifts. The local orchestra played “Moscow Nights”. At night there was an official banquet in honor of the Russian delegation.

On May 16 in the morning there happened a beautiful Friendship Festival on the square of People’s Government of Manchuria. Hundreds of citizens came to greet the runners of the World Harmony Run. There were musicians wearing yellow traditional garments and striking the drums, dancers with fans, and local public. The vice-head of the city committee, Lon Lo Bin, gave a speech. Afterwards the head of the city committee, Jan Khan Jun, lit the Torch. The Mayor of Manchuria fired the starting gun and hundreds of doves soared into the sky. A Chinese athlete ran with the team. In the village of Jaylanor groups of miners, nurses, children, soldiers, and pensioners ran with the Torch. In the village of Xinbaerxusi, children lined up along the road and greeted the World Harmony Run. During a lunch in Xosun, runners were greeted by local authorities and a dancing ensemble. At the 301st federal highway, the head of administration of Xinbaerxusi, Mr.Muuren, passed the Harmony Torch to the runners for carrying it to the neighbor region of Chenbaerxu. A group of soldiers joined the team and together they ran to Chenbaerxu, where local citizens dressed in traditional clothes, and the regional administration, greeted them. At night there was an official dinner and concert of folk and pop groups.

On May 17 at 8.30 am the runners started to run on the 301st federal highway. The runners split into groups of three: a runner from the team, a runner from Manchuria, and a runner from Xailar. Along the route in Xulunbuir hundreds of children with flowers and colorful banners said “Welcome!” The team ran to the main square, which was full of children, pensioners, and folk ensembles. The stage was decorated by a huge painting showing runners with the torch and flowers, with a message greeting the World Harmony Run. In the sky were soaring balloons with greetings and huge kites.When the Torch was passed to the government of Xailar, hundreds of doves were released into the sky. The officials greeted the team. Then there was a Wushu performance of pensioners and kids’ dancing performances. After lunch, runners placed flowers at the monument of the Red Army soldiers and planted two pine trees together with the city officials. At night there was an official dinner.

On May 18, the team departed for their homeland.