Olympic torch relay concluded in Shihezi and Changji on Thursday. This marks the end of the torch relay in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

After a one-minute silence for victims in the Wenchuan Earthquake, national aeromodelling champion Han Xinping ran the first leg of the relay in Shihezi.

"I hope we can demonstrate to our country and the world the spirit of perseverance to build Shihezi a hospitable city."

Shihezi, nicknamed "the pearl in the Gobi desert", won the Dubai International Award for Best Practices to Improve the Living Environment, issued by UN-HABITAT.

The torch will continue its journey in the Tibet Autonomous Region on Saturday.