Olympic Games 2008

Spectacular opening to Beijing Games

Article published on the 2008-08-08 Latest update 2008-08-08 14:51 TU

China's flag is raised during the opening ceremony
(Photo: Reuters)

The 2008 Olympic Games kicked off with a grand spectacle of lights and a cast of thousands at the "Bird's Nest" stadium at 8:08 pm local Chinese time. After the opening fireworks, performers treated the the packed-to-capacity audience to a dramatised account of 5,000 years of Chinese history.

A paramilitary policeman keeps watch as fireworks illuminate the sky
(Photo: Reuters)

Famed Chinese cinema director Zhang Yimou staged the whole event, including a 5,000 year walk through Chinese history with a stunning light show accompanied by scarf dancers.

Participants take part in the opening ceremony
(Photo: Reuters)

Paul Myers reported for RFI from the stadium.

"Despite all the boycotts, the tension and the friction that has led up to this, this is going to be the centre of the universe, and I think protests will be forgotten for the next three hours," he said.

While anti-China protests were not centre stage in Beijing, they were in the rest of the world on Friday, as thousands of people came out on the streets of London, Brussels, Berlin, Kathmandu, Bangkok and Hong Kong.