Video: The Olympic Torch Relay for the 2022 Winter Games Kicks Off in Beijing

The torch relay began at 09:16 local time (05:16 Yerevan time). "I declare the start of the torch relay for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing," announced Han Zheng, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, at the ceremony. Due to the pandemic, the route and duration of the relay have been significantly shortened, TASS reports.

In order to prevent the risks of coronavirus transmission, the relay will take place without spectators. Additionally, the sections of the relay route are located away from busy streets and neighborhoods.

The relay will include 12 key sections across three clusters for the Olympic competitions: in Beijing and Zhangjiakou, five designated zones for the torch relay have been established, with two more located in the Yanqing District of the capital.

Eleven segments of the relay are outside the "closed loop system"—the Olympic "bubble"—where all foreign delegations reside, along with the sports facilities and Olympic villages.

In total, about 1,200 torchbearers aged between 14 and 86 will participate in the relay, which will also feature representatives from 20 countries and regions worldwide.

For the first time in history, the torch transfer will involve not only people but also vehicles. Amphibious robots will carry the flame underwater in the Yundin River, while driverless vehicles will be employed at the Shougan Industrial Park, part of the Winter Olympic Park.