GUANGZHOU, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- The flame lighting ceremony for China's 15th National Games, 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and 9th National Special Olympic Games was held in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, on Thursday, with one month to go before the opening of the National Games.

Representatives from the three hosts - Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao - raised their ceremonial torches to simultaneously light the official cauldron.

The "source flame" was extracted and ignited from combustible ice lying over 1,500 meters beneath the surface of the South China Sea in September.

Following the route of the ancient Maritime Silk Road, the Ocean Geology 2 research vessel sailed to the Haima Cold Seep area in the northern South China Sea.

"The achievement marks a global breakthrough in the history of large-scale multi-sport events. It is the first time a deep-sea remotely operated vehicle (ROV) has been used to obtain the source flame from the ultra-deep seabed, with the entire process documented by ultra-high-definition equipment," said Meng Fanli, executive director of the Games' organizing committee.

"The technological innovation not only demonstrates China's deep-sea capabilities but also interprets the principle of hosting a 'simple, safe and splendid' event, deeply integrating the Olympic spirit with science and technology, and the Greater Bay Area (GBA)'s development," he added.

After the ceremony, the flame will embark on its journey to the four key cities of the GBA - Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Macao, with torch relays to be held in these cities in November.

China's 15th National Games will be held from November 9 to 21, while the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games will take place from December 8 to 15. ■