Zhang Yuebin, a pilot with the Zhejiang Branch of Air China, carried with him the dreams and passion of all pilots as he proudly accepted the No. 88 Torch at 10:18 the morning of July 5, 2008.  As he jogged along the Silk Road's Gansu Dunhuang fort, he heard the onlookers shouting "We love the Olympics! We love Beijing!  We love Dunhuang!  We love China!"  Zhang said, "At that moment, my heart was really lit up, just like the torch. This has been one of my heart's greatest wishes. Just at the moment the torch was ignited, I felt really proud of being part of the big mission to make the Games a total success." The torch relay symbolizes light, peace, unity and justice and also the Olympic spirit of being higher, faster and stronger.  Zhang added. "As a pilot, ensuring flight safety is my main task. So, doing a good job is a way of making a great contribution to all the people working for Air China, a partner of the Beijing Olympic Games. Let Air China fly higher and further, and may our Chinese civil aviation industry grow stronger. As a son of the blue sky, this is my greatest wish!"

Every day for two months Zhang exercised in preparation for his part in the relay.  He started preparing the afternoon of July 4th by taking part in a mobilization meeting held by the event organizing committee, familiarized himself with the torch lighting and hand-over process, and reviewed the safety details.

The first bearer of the Lucky Cloud torch in the relay at Dunhuang was Ms. Fan Jinshi, Director of the Dunhuang Academy China, who, after graduation from Beijing University in 1963 has devoted her time to the study and promotion of Dunhuang culture. Zhang was not only inspired by Ms. Fan's determination, loyalty and devotion but also by a teacher, Wang Guiying.  Wang rescued 19 students during the deadly May 12th earthquake and evacuated three students while the room was collapsing around her. Zhang believes this story from the Wenchuan earthquake encapsulates the phrase, "No one should be left alone!"  He said, "This reminds me that every movement in the steering of an aircraft should be made 100% safe, and this should be our commitment to all our passengers."

The Lucky Cloud torch relay began at Mongao Caves and concluded at the end of Yueying Square. It carried with it all the emotion and feeling of the people in the desert areas, where "a lone smoke trail rises from the vast horizon; and the round sun sets slowly over the long river" (quote from an ancient Chinese poem).