Torchbearer Li Xiaosong kindles the Olympic flame cauldron during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Golmud, northwest China's Qinghai Province,on June 22, 2008.

(CCTV06-22-2008 11:27)On Sunday morning, the Olympic torch relay kicked off in Golmud, in northwestern China's Qinghai Province. All the torchbearers in Qinghai are from minor nationalities.

The first runner Cega is director of the Hol Xil Natural Reserve Administration. He has spent more than 10 years on anti-poaching efforts. 171 people joined the relay, which covered 7.5 kilometers.

Qinghai is Yingying's hometown. The yellow Fuwa embodies the Tibetan antelope, an endangered animal. Kunlun jade, which is used for making Beijing Olympic medals are also produced from the province's Kunlun Mountain. The relay will move to the Qinghai Lake on Monday.