Olympic torch lights up Everest
The Olympic torch has reached the summit of Mount Everest.
The ambitious ascent was capped when Cering Wangmo reached the top of the world's highest mountain, which stands at 8,848 metres (29,029 feet) at 9.18am local time.
The feat was celebrated by 12 climbers with an enthralled nation watching live television pictures.
The torch's global journey has been marred by protests along the route over China's stance on Tibet and the base camp at Everest has been closed for fear of further unrest.
An American climber was reportedly deported from Nepal, which shares a border with China in the Himalayas, last week while in possession of a 'Free Tibet' banner.
The torch relay will resume in Shenzhen with the Everest flame to be reunited with the main flame later in the journey to Beijing.
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