The designer of the 2008 Olympic emblem said on Saturday the Chinese Seal - Dancing Beijing was the best gift that the Chinese people presented to the Games.

Zhang Wu, 45, a senior designer, was the torchbearer of the last leg in torch relay in Kaifeng City of central China's Henan Province. He lit the caldron after the flame was passed by a total of 208 torchbearers.

"Since Henan is the cradle of the Chinese culture and Kaifeng is my hometown, it is so exciting to be a part of the relay here," he said.

Zhang turned famous after designing the Chinese Sea - Dancing Beijing, which was later selected as the emblem for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The emblem artistically incorporates the seal, the Chinese characters and the Olympic rings. As a running figure waves its hands to embrace victory, it stands for hospitable and vigorous Beijing opening arms to welcome friends from all over the world.

"It is a perfect combination of the Olympic spirit and the fine traditional Chinese culture," Zhang said.

"It is the best gift from the 1.3 billion Chinese people," he added.

Zhang said he gave up the image of dragon, the traditional and best-known representation of China, after long-time consideration, because of its different connotation in the Western culture.

"Thanks to the abundant Chinese culture, I finally came up with the image of a seal," he said.

His brainchild was finally selected from a large number of designs from 1,500 top designers from both home and abroad.