Video:
China's big day arrives
12.09am
The Olympic torch is alight. The Games are begun. The drama is nigh and the
world awaits. As fireworks explode into the Beijing night and a people’s
army – an army of people – puff out their chests and let loose screams of
delight, we leave the opening ceremony with one final thought.
Didn’t they do well?
Midnight
Oooooooh. That’s how they’re doing it.
Li Ning has just been hoisted hundreds of feet into the air and is now running
around the upper perimeter of the stadium. Projectors are casting images of
the previous relay legs onto the background behind him, although for some
reason I can’t see any pictures from London. Nothing happened, there did it?
11.49pm
I’ll tell you what, that torch looks an awful long way up. Most of the
speculation around the stadium now is centred on how the bearer expects to
light it. I can’t see any stairs but a few of the flag carriers are
wondering around the track with a big duvet. Perhaps they’ll get someone to
bounce up and down on it and see if they can reach.
It’s another lap, of course. You can’t have an opening ceremony unless
everybody does a lap. And everyone who completes a lap laps it up as they do
so. It’s laptastic, this.
Sources tell me that the Bahamas team sneaked out a few hours back as they
were unable to cope with the heat. I know how they feel but you won’t catch
anyone from Team Times taking an early cut.
Sorry about that.
11.25pm
At last! It’s been on the go for more than three hours. Men have clapped,
women have cheered, children have cried and nations have come and go. But
finally, as the last semi-dry section of shirt sticks resolutely to my back
… enter the dragon.
The China team have plumped for red on this occasion. Reminiscent of Jonathan
Ross in the early 1990s, one could argue that it’s an all-too-predictable
outfit, but at least they’re not wearing chinos or flat caps.
Crowd noise has now reached a new level, the ferocity of its roar fuelled by
pent-up anticipation and national pride. For the first time tonight I feel
humble; this is their celebration and we are their guests. OK so it’s gone
on a bit, but you can’t deny it’s been a success.
Arrangements are made for the torch-lighting ceremony. We really are about to
begin…
10.50pm
Well there’s a turn-up. Biggest hand of the night goes to the US team, all of
whom are wearing navy blazers and white chinos, topped off with baggy caps.
The last American I saw wearing a baggy cap was Payne Stewart, but he got
away with it because he wore plusfours to complete the look. A missed
opportunity for the Stars and Stripes, methinks.
Apparently I am to look out for the Serbian ladies as they are “quite hot”,
texts Times reporter Will Pavia as he watches on one of the televisions in
the press centre. “The Swedes and Italians also scrub up awfully well.” When
didn’t they?
10.25pm
Not that anyone noticed. I expect Barry Davies is on the telly now, talking
about the proudest moment of Mark Foster’s life as the strapping, six-foot
plus swimmer holds the Union Flag aloft. But in truth, the Great Britain
team was treated as though it was the square schoolchild at China’s 16th
birthday party: not picked on, as such, but ignored as everyone chatted to
somebody more popular. I blame the blue chinos. C&A left the country for
a reason, you know.
10.17pm
Yes! There is much more of this! Much, much, much more before we can boast of
having seen all 205 competing nations walk at octogenarian pace around a
400-metre track, taking pictures of themselves on their mobile phones as
they go. Even the smog seems to have gone into a stupor, drifting away for a
bit of a snooze in the hope that someone will give it a prod before the
dancing pandas arrive.
Oh, for those pandas! What wouldn’t I give to see a bit of well-choreographed
bamboo chewing instead of all this. In fact they wouldn’t even have to
dance; they could just roll about a bit and play-fight. Anything but another
man in a cabin steward’s jacket waving at us as though we’re is best mates.
Oh but hang on … here comes Blighty!
10.05pm
Come on the Iraqis! It’s been a tough couple of years for the boys in green
and white, what with invasions, bloody civil war and a lack of decent
football pitches, but tonight they got one of the biggest cheers from a
crowd not usually given to away-end sympathy.
They were 80th on the list of entrants. Great Britain are 116th. As the man at
the end of the telephone line used to say when I called in my match reports:
“Is there much more of this?”
9.45pm
It’s typical. You wait seven years to stage the biggest party of your life,
invite a load of people you don’t know, decorate the flat exquisitely to
impress them and brew a shed-load of free punch. And then your best mate
goes and declares war on Georgia. How’s that going to go down the next time
Russia pops round to borrow a cup of sugar?
It’s hotter than an amorous oven’s underpants in here, but still the crowds
stand and cheer as those athletic heroes of Luxembourg, so-long admired in
this part of the world, stride gloriously by. This could be as close as they
get to the medals podium, but why should that stop them enjoying their
moment of obscurity as they delude themselves into thinking that the globe
is watching their every move?
And still the girls clap. And still they sway. Because they found their love
on wasteland, across the barricades.
9.26pm
I was going to give you a smog update but it will have to wait because, as
predicted, the athletes have started their procession around the
still-covered track of the stadium.
And there’s an awful lot of white out about. Do this lot double up as
ice-cream salesmen?
“I didn’t do anything in particular but I really looked forward to it,” was
the response from Yao Ming, China’s NBA star, when asked how he prepared for
his flag-bearing task. It’s that sort of casual, almost laissez-faire
attitude that gives a bad name to signal carriers everywhere, so it’s very
lucky for him that he didn’t drop it or trip over while ambling around the
obstacle-clear, eight-lane walkway.
Returning to the Top of the Pops theme, do you remember there always used to
be a gaggle of girls between the camera and Spandau Ballet who would clap
their hands and sway from side to side throughout the entire duration of
Beyond the Barricades? Well they’ve got about 500 teenagers doing that here,
and this ain’t no four-minute pop song. Hope someone’s booked a physio.
9.07pm
I can’t believe it! The man from the Daily Mail in the next seat to me has
dropped off!! Must have been the mood music.
Or perhaps he's conserving his energy for the arrival of the Olympic athletes.
I hope it’s not too far away as the nauseating male-female duet has just
started. Good God woman, give it a rest with the dewy eyes will you! Perhaps
it was your practise routine that caused Rogge to vomit.
8.58pm
Are you watching, London? Better scrap those plans for a pearly king and queen
procession, because China has set the bar high for all opening ceremonies to
follow. Thousands of acrobats in fluorescent yellow have just stolen the
mass-people formation idea from Howard’s Halifax Building Society adverts
but we can forgive them that. High above what will be the field area, a
little girl dangles precariously from a trapeze wire and, as she struggles
for mid-air co-ordination, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the scale
and bravado of the display.
But despite the visual excitement, my fear for the flailing infant is soothed
by a sudden change in musical backdrop. All of an instant the drums are
dropped and instead the person with the remote control switches to mood
music of the sort normally enjoyed by heavily pregnant women and Paul
McKenna. That’s better.
8.36pm
That cuteness didn’t last long. For some reason they’ve shipped in the Welsh
National Choir to sing the theme tune to the Omen. I knew it was too good to
last. Any moment now Jacque Rogge’s head will do a 360-degree turn and cover
us all with projectile vomit.
The noise! The clamour! The lights! It’s like back-to-back episodes of the Top
of the Pops Christmas Special, only this time with the Terracotta Army as
your hosts. And as two lines of ladies in blue move into formation,
shouldering giant fans to attention, I can’t help but think: I think we got
away with nicking those seats.
8.20pm
They’ve moved the tables, you’ll be glad to know. And now we’re into the
opening ceremony proper, the bit where China gets to sing about peace and
harmony and big fluffy panda bears. I mean, who are they trying to kid? This
is a nation built on military history as much as hard work and social
reform. You wouldn’t want to bump into the Red Army going the wrong way down
a dark alley, so why try to kid everyone with this pretence? They must think
we were born yesterd…. oh, look, it’s a cute kid in a red dress! And she’s
starting to sing!! Yaaaaay!
8.08pm (08/08/08)
And we’re off! An ominous drum roll, the thunderous crack of a thousand
fireworks and the roar of a mighty nation leads us into a rocket-laden
countdown. The crowd goes wild as the 2008 Olympic Games gets under way, and
as a result the folk down at the pitch tables start doing an oriental sort
of Haka. I don’t mind admitting I’m a bit scared.
7.50pm
My colleague Matt Dickinson has turned on the charm and is currently
negotiating with press liaison staff. But you don’t want to know about that,
you want to know about this…
Ten minutes to go and the skies above Beijing are darkening – not that it
affects vision much – and there are a load of tables all over the pitch. The
bloke who used to do funny voiceovers on Blackadder and Reeves and Mortimer
has just made an address about going out and doing us proud, but it’s going
to be tricky throwing a javelin with that lot in the way.
All over the stadium, flashbulbs are exploding like … well, like thousands of
exploding flashbulbs. And the smog, so often derided for its
lung-shrivelling tendencies, has taken on a look of beauty in the
fluorescent lights of the stadium. It’s quite romantic really, in a
totalitarian, hard-line Communist type of way.
7.19pm
China’s going to give the world a ‘big warm hug’ apparently. I don’t know
about you but I find that vaguely sinister. I mean, what's it code for? It’s
the sort of thing despots say in badly dubbed foreign films, just before
stroking the end of their Zapata moustaches and ordering a hit.
I’m already feeling nervous about this evening’s proceedings, having defied
official orders to sit in the press overspill section (without power and
internet connectivity) and stolen somebody else’s seat in the tabled area
(with power and internet connectivity). It’s bound to end in tears when some
bloke from the LA Times turns up, but in the meantime I plough on,
pretending I have ‘lost my ticket’. As a matter of fact, an official-looking
person is heading towards me now. . .
7pm local time (11am GMT)
It's the moment China has been waiting for. Queues formed of thousands still
snake away from the Bird's Nest, the magnificent edifice built to celebrate
what some are labelling China's Coming Out Party, but inside the atmosphere
is a fervent mix of excitement, anticipation and smog.
Oh yes, the smog. Turn your back on the dancers, block your ears against the
music and ignore what lies ahead: it's the smog that has been our constant
companion in the build-up to these Games and, when it came to the crunch,
the big fella in the particulate matter t-shirt didn't let us down.
How can I explain? It's like sitting in the bath with your clothes on. No,
better than that: it's like sitting in the bath with your clothes and a
raincoat on and the shower running at full blast and maximum temperature.
With lights and a big dragon thing in front of you.
You know some said we'd be able to taste the atmosphere in Beijing? They
weren't lying...
Great Work by China fantasic opening ceremony, never seen anything like it. INDIA SAY WELL DONE.
MR MANGA SINGH
Mr Manga Singh, Chitti, INDIA
I've watched a few opening cermonies in my time - and been bored after 15 minutes. This one though was absolutely SPECTACULAR! There's no way London 2012 - or any other country after it for that matter - will be able to top this.
NANCY, CAMBUSLANG,
i thought to opening ceremony was good, but i felt there was too much attention to large choreographed pieces some better than others, i think for 2012 we should just make a performance that we as a nation are good at, 2 words "Red Arrows"
Charles, Derbyshire,
First and foremost, the opening ceremony was amazing for me because of the visual pageantry, high technology, the very deep sense of culture and history China has and the evident pride and joy of all the performers. London's will surely be unique as well. Looking forward....
deanne, quezon city, philippines
I don't think London can top this one,and I dont think any country could, there's only four old civilizations,the scroll is amazing not only because the technology, the creativity, but a culture of 5000 years old country,I do believe London 2012 will be more creative,but blablabla
Ray, Stockholm, Sweden
The opening ceremony is really fantanstic
kate, London, England
I find the whole ceremony SPECTACULAR! It's the best I've ever seen. And at the end of the day, it's a free world, so people can say whatever they like, but we mustn't forget that we should be fair as well, and Olympics is about SPORTS!
Tammy Insull, London, England
i think the ceremony the best i have seen and the commentary the worst ive heard!
no country has a perfect record, but they have certainly worked very hard to change for the better and we should be supporting them not critising how far they have left! we have plenty left to go here too!
John, London, UK
I have my undergraduate and postgraduate education in the UK. I love people there and started to watch BBC for years, as I want to see the world with less prejudice, but BBC really disappointed me, especially since this year. I personally welcom critics on China, as I wish it move forward.
Ellie, Shanghai,
Since when BBC became so annoying? its many comments were really in prejudice. I even saw one news translating bad words about the goverment into English (an interview of a chinese lady), but for those positive words, BBC didnt traslate. It was selective reporting and definitely misled audiance
Ellie, Shanghai,
Funny, but very disappointing article. I watched the opening ceremony on CCTV in Chinese so didn't understand everything in Zhang Yimou's distillation of 5,000 years of Chinese civilisation. I looked to the Times for a detailed explanation, only to find this. China Daily, for once, excelled.
Michael P, Wuhan, China
Awesom!!!! Beautiful!!!!! A job well done!
susan, iowa, usa
Hillarious commentry !!!
But common guys who are we kidding. It was the most spectacular thing I have even seen on the TV. Every second of it was amazingly executed.
Great work China and Congratulation !!!!
Saad Ali Khan, London, U.K.
I doubt London can top that. I'm not talking about the lack of creativity, but from the financial perspective. China is a big market, so they can afford it. But Britain? Even the money spent on Beijing olympic are mostly from private enterprises and sponsors.
Andy, Medan, Indonesia
Why is it surprising that the US got a big cheer. Kobe Bryant and Lebron James sell more jerseys in China than Yao Ming. They love the US and US athletes in China. Maybe the restrained applause for the UK team got you feeling insecure?
Simon, New York, USA
London 2012 will be just as Good as the Beijing olympics. C'mon! Although the bar has been set high, it's because china has put on the work, enormous discipline and tremendous effort. Well done to them for such an amazing night and for hosting the olympics through all the challenges they faced.
Damian Ang, London, UK
Sir,
Would it be to much to suggest a return from the mind-boggling hypocrisy, propaganda, and panoply of the opening ceremony to the simplicity of the athletes' entry, the local and olympic anthems, a speech by the OC president, and, the most symbolic action, the lighting of the olympic flame?
K White, Faringdon, Oxon
Why is it surprising that the US got a great cheer from the Beijing crowd? Despite the obvious tensions and periodic spats, the US is still held in mighty high regard by many ordinary Chinese, just think how many of their brightest and most ambitious students' dream in life is to study in the US.
Michael P, Wuhan, China
As a Chinese, I am embarrassed by the inferiority complex shown by many of my compatriots. Only the Chinese care so much how they are perceived by the foreigners. The vast majority of world citizens could not care less about China is or any other country. Most people focus on their own lives.
Y Wong, Shanghai, China
Yawn. All this nonsense about China's human rights record. Where were all the human rights activists when Sydney held the Olympics in 2000? Or aren't the Aborignees humans so the atrocities perpetrated against them by consecutive Australian governments ok in the eyes of the West?
Mahela Malone, Antigua W. I,
Thank all the support.We are so proud of our motherland and Best wishes for London.You have more experience so u know.I can't wait !2012!
I think if you're NOT a chinese citizen,you have no right to comment my country.As an ordinary citizen in China i want to tell you that we DO have human rights
Cee, Shanghai, People's Republe of China
The opening ceromony was amazing with excellent performances, effects and choreography. It is the best display that I have ever seen and enjoyed every bit of it, especially the drummers, TaiChi display and the fireworks Excellent!
Though I doubt London will be as good and be very PC about it all
Rob, Manchester, UK
Huw Edwards was the wrong person he reads autocue and given how many names on the BBC payroll we deserved better
Fergal Keane would have been excellent or a Dimbley,so what's wrong none of the highearners want to work in the Summer ?
Jeanette Eccles, London, UK
it was a wonderful ceremony, I think it showed to the rest of the world how china really is tody; I think China like any other country have our problem, but I do believe that a lot of the media have portrayed china as a terrible country; I hope though this ceremony, ppl would know more about china!
Vivienne, Beijing, China
I'm astounded that no news service picked up on the Chinese announcers mirth that Britain sent more politicians than athletes to the games. The opening ceremony was a fantastic experience.
James, Nanning,
Chinese have done a lot for your understanding! I ,as a Chinese,have not felt cheating by the government of China.Instead,I am very proud of the ceremony which was arranged by government.
What Chinese really want,from the Olympic Games,is being a friend of the nation which have a different ideas
liang, Hebei, China
Actually , I can understand why so many foreigners don't know the truth of China. most of them didn;t come to China.
No country can say what they do to host a big game like Olypics is the best .We Chinese just try our best to do it.And I hope London will do it better in 2012!!!
Ford, canton, china
Imagine ( and it takes some doing ) this was the opening here in London - the place would be awash with the health and safety nanny brigade, telling the performers its cancelled in case they hurt themselves. Well done China - a fantastic display. Congatulations!
Linda, London, England
That has to be the most awesome opening ceremony I have ever seen, infact it was the most amazing spectacle on a truly gargantuan scale! Amazing use of technology, a true show of olympics in the 21st century. There is no way London will be able to do anything even remotely as good as this!
Sanj, Birmingham, UK
How do you follow that in four years time....a Scottish pipe band, a Welsh Choir, a Northern Irish dance troupe and for England some Morris dancers dancing round a replica of Stonehenge....
Deco, Varese,
No doubt it's the best opening ceremony ever! I think it's actually a lecture to the Western world about Chinese history, culture and civilization. And hopefully the western people who have watched the ceremony have got sth to take home!
Thomas, Welling, UK
Thank God Steven Spielberg pulled out earlier this year. If he were there, the opening ceremony wouldn't have been as excellent as it is now. How much knowledge does he have about China?
In this regard, he deserves a big gold medal from the Chinese people!
Thomas, Welling, UK
Britain will never be able to top this opening ceremony. Too many people worrying what were spending. £20bn compared to $9bn, will have to cut corners somewhere, maybe the fireworks. However, the Chinese have given us a great show but at the detriment of poor Chinese families, no human rights, etc.
Steve Fletcher, Bedford, UK
In the past 5 years, I, as a Chinese, have been constantly reminded by foreigners that I had no human rights in this country and my government is prosecuting me.
This appears somewhat a joke to me.
li, anyang, China
The most CHARMING Olpympics opening was surely that of South Korea, forget the year. No jackbooted strutting automatons, just modesty, gente dancing and charming self-efacement. Nothing 'spectacular', just pure delight.
Jack, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
How do you follow that?
John, Oldham, Lancs.
Best show ever in history maybe
jack, chapel hill, USA
wonderful!wonderful!wonderful!
allen zhang, daqing, China
Whoa!! ...Utterly spectacular and mesmerizing!! I'd hate to be London now - they've got a hard act to follow.
Adam, Chicago, IL
My husband and I watched the Opening Ceremony from our home here in Texas tonight. IT WAS SPECTACULAR! We visited China two ago and discovered the hope, the creativity and the energy of the amazing Chinese people. Those wonderful qualities were on display in tonight's best-ever Olympic opening!
Cleo, Houston, USA
Eat your heart out Spielberg - you are redundant! I am so proud of China, the Chinese people - best Olympic Opening Ceremony ever! Long may the People Republic of China rule... ALL of China!
S K Chan, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Perfect!
Robert Blackwood, Birmingham,
after 20 years "open" policies, i believe that the game is the very start of opening. i agree with dan, not because i am also from china, people in your country do not understand China as much as Chinese understand UK. May i say, as much respect and attention ?
shaomin, HangZhou, China
i was moved last night by the spectacular opening ceremony , really so proud of to be a Chinese. pls take back your injustice commentaries in some western media. Envy should be a kind of encouraging and support, shouldn't be a kind of finicking and jealousy.
daisy zhang, Beijing, China
In the past 5 years, I, as a Chinese, have been constantly reminded by foreigners that I had no human rights in this country and my government is prosecuting me.
This appears somewhat a joke to me. I quite agree with Honest's comment "Human right? Who is human? Only chinese can represent china!"
Summers, Shanghai, China
Its interesting, watching it on delay in the US (half a day late) and reading accounts of things yet to come. So far, this ceremony is amazing. The Chinese should be proud, this is the best opening I've ever seen. I only hope our basketball team doesn't implode.
Justin, Orlando,FL, USA
It's always easy to say something opposite and insulting! China is a nation of etiquette and we have the hospitality and ability to hold a cuccessful Olympic Games. I can't believe such aggressive words should be said by BBC. Maybe, 4 years later, you will bite yourself back. Don't be so unfriendly!
Roy King, Nanjing, China
Where is Steven Spielberg?
And good luck to London 2012.
Vincent, London, UK
Pretty glib assessment. Spectacle is one thing the Chinese know, and they pulled it off spectacularly. Anyone who wasn't impressed with the human paper waves could well be lying.....
adam, Chengdu, China
I am really irritated by this obnoxious and stupid commentary. All you wanted to express is the hatred and jealousy of a rising, powerful, yet friendly China. How much do you know about a real China? Before you can comment please make sure you‘ve done enough homework. Shame on the commentary!
WuTao, Shanghai,
Looking forward a elegant and stylish 2012 London Olympic Game opening.
Paul , Hong Kong, China
The ceremony is wonderful. I wonder how London will perform in 2012.
Hans, Hamburg, Germany
BBC commentators, only reminded me of my nagging mother, are so annoying....
Paula, Manchester,
The Chinese held the most spectacular opening ever and proved beyond doubt that they are a leading super power. They were magnificent and inspirational and have set the gold standard for many years to come. Well done China.
D Case, Newquay,
What are you guys talking about? He's just summarizing the opening ceremony. I see nothing wrong with this article.
Dany, Toronto, Canada
Martin - I don't think there was anything sycophantic at all in the BBC commentary. Carrie Gracie and Huw Edwards were both excellent.
China is a fantastic country doing its best to reform its political identity to match the progress of its economy. It takes time!
Go to China and wise up...
dan, Beijing,
We should celebrate the fact that the Chinese are shwoing the world what they have achieved in the past 30 years - just as they admire our history, so we should admire theirs and how it was portrayed today. Wonderful commentary.
Philip Bujak, London, UK
I never expect that foreigners can understand the opening ceremony and all the things behind it. it's not your fault because commentators from your country are not experts on chinese cultural , neither can they pretended to be experts by reading scripts.
Enjoy, Beijing, China
I watched the Chinese version live, and the English version on NBC. I'm so impressed by all those who contributed to the show.
What's wrong with Matthew Syed (see Aug. 9). I'm an ordinary Chinese; I gave money willingly for this game. I wanted to. Does Mr. Syed have a problem with that?
WaterCube, Nanjing and Indiana,
What a colossal waste of money. Britain's turn next...
helen Back, Bradford,
Great China. Great Job. This is a mordern Beijing. No one has the right to block the progress of the giant dragon. If you try to mix the realities, absoluctly you will fail. We believe what we are seeing. Human right? Who is human? Only chinese can represent china!!!
honest, vancouver, canada
If you are a Chinese,how will you feel when you see others give such an offensive comment to your country?
If this is the London Olympic Game,how will you feel when you know others denied everything you did for the Game?
We really want you treat China as a friend,not a enemy.
We need support.
shell, Canton, China
Well done to Mains o' Fintry Pipe Band frae Dundee.
Paul, Edinburgh, Scotland
what a show!!! Amazing!!! But Athens opening ceramony was better... human scale is important sometimes :) specially when it comes to olympics. good luck to London
Christian, Athens,
The ceremony is spectacular and is a shock to watch on spot.
Especially the workfire raise to sky the whole city seem to light . I am lucky at the city.
Amy Sadler, Brookhaven, US
It was an extraordinarily spectacular event which was the best to date in my opinion as far as opening ceremonies go.
My question is how far London is willing to go to top the amazing and quite frankly groundbreaking spectacle that the Chinese managed to mastermind today.
Eric, London, England
Congratulations China! A masterful ceremony, surpassing everything we've seen so far. The energy & the excitement of the people was awe-inspiring.
Martin, etc. please put aside the criticism and accept that nations are different around the globe. London should keep some notes for '12.
Nicholas, London, United Kingdom
I have to say that I thought the complete opposite of the BBC commentators I just saw on the interactive replay
Marty, Swansea,
It is a wonderful ceremony ,isn't it ?
Don't mention the politics and human rights, ok?
I am Chinese. I don't want u to talk about the other things but the Olympic Games.
There is no perfect country in the world. As u can see, my country is growing and becoming better and better.
Cherry Yang, Beijing, China
Whatever one's views on China's domestic policies, the opening ceremony should be judged on its merits, not through the eyes of prejudice. It was, quite simply, a master work. It showed too how far China has come in understanding the Western mind. Sophisticated, witty. An extraordinary performance.
Cathie Harrison, St Arnaud, New Zealand
He's just telling the truth. Don't be so judgemental.
Sophie, Oxford,
Let's see if London can do a better, SAFER Olympics opening ceremony in 2012. They should keep their minds busy on that now. Don't forget it is only 4 years away.
Oliver March, London, UK
i don't understand why you guys can't just show a bit support, after all this ceremony just finished, even you can do better in 2012, which we believe that, but you have to wait until then to show the world. Right now, the ceremony is breathtaking and spectacular.
Lynne, shanghai, china
China is developing, much stronger than years before. China is soft, never a superpower, past, now, and future. We love shadowboxing as we understand what the real strength is. China is hard-working, but not perfect.
Xiong, Fuzhou, China
That is China, not bullying others and not allowing to be bullied either.
Xiong, Fuzhou, China
I read this and think, how sad are we, when one of our greatest strengths is moaning and throwing constant jibes whenever possible.
I expected nothing less, of course.
Howard, Manchester,
This is one of the most obnoxious commentaries I have ever read - I dont think this writer deserves the privilege of being at the games
Justine, London ,
While there is no doubt the ceremony is spectacular I am disgusted by the comments of the BBC commentators. It appears obvious their script was prepared by the Chines propoganda department.
Martin Drum, Portsmouth,