GUANGZHOU - The torch signaling the start of the 2010 Asian Para Games began its seven-day relay in Guangzhou on Sunday.

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All walks of life, from gold medalists of the recently completed Asian Games to many disabled individuals will participate in the relay. Lin Shuangying, one of the Sunday torchbearers who is also partially paralyzed, said she didn't let the torch from falling down during the run.

"I had to use both of my hands to hold the torch. Although I cannot wave to greeting people around the street, I feel very honored," she said.

Lin was paralyzed at the age of 4. She graduated from the Guangdong University of Foreign Studies a few years ago and became a member of the Guangdong Writers' Union in 2003.

The torch for the Asian Para Games was ignited in a traditional ceremony at the China Millennium Monument in Beijing on Friday.

A brief ceremony at the beginning of the relay was also held on Saturday morning at Tiananmen Square, with 20 torchbearers at the event. The torch was then sent to Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, by plane on Saturday afternoon.

Sunday's relay started at the Huacheng Square in Guangzhou's booming business area of Zhujiang New Town, opposite of the Games' opening and closing ceremonies at Haixinsha Square.

The relay will pass through many well-known areas in Guangzhou, including Hero Square and Ersha Island in the coming six days.

The Guangzhou Asian Para Games, with about 3,000 athletes from 45 Asian countries and regions, is scheduled from Dec 12-19.