The Olympic torch relay will kick off on Friday in Hong Kong, its first stop on Chinese soil after concluding the global tour.

It has been over four decades since the city received the flame of the Tokyo Olympic Games in 1964. Local residents have been anticipating the torch relay with excitement.

"Last time we saw the Olympic flame, it was for the Tokyo Olympic Games. But this time, it's absolutely different because it's our motherland, our capital, Beijing, that will host the 2008 Games."

"Although I'm not a torch bearer, I would like to run as they do to follow the whole process of the relay. I think that's a once-in-lifetime opportunity."

The relay on Friday will start at Hong Kong Cultural Center at Tsim Sha Tsui. A total of 120 torch bearers will take part in the relay, which will showcase special landmarks such as Tsing Ma Bridge and the Shatin race course.

Macao will host the next leg of the torch relay.