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Beijing Olympics ceremony begins Beijing Olympics ceremony begins
(10 minutes later)
The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing has begun with a spectacular display of fireworks at a packed national stadium. The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics has begun with a spectacular display of dancing, music and fireworks at a packed national stadium.
The festivities will involve 10,000 performers and will be watched on TV by an estimated one billion people. Some 10,000 performers are taking part in the festivities, being watched on TV by an estimated one billion people.
The city's main airport has been closed for the ceremony, amid heightened security in the capital.
The build-up to the event has been dominated by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record.The build-up to the event has been dominated by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record.
An extra 100,000 troops and police have been deployed, and the city's main airport closed for the ceremony.
Earlier, President Hu Jintao said: "The historic moment we have awaited is arriving."Earlier, President Hu Jintao said: "The historic moment we have awaited is arriving."
Bomb threatBomb threat
The 2008 Olympics have been described as the most politicised Games since the boycott era of the early 1980s.The 2008 Olympics have been described as the most politicised Games since the boycott era of the early 1980s.
Olympics: Live coverageIn pictures: Beijing's big dayBeijing pollution: Facts and figuresOlympics: Live coverageIn pictures: Beijing's big dayBeijing pollution: Facts and figures
China has faced pressure to improve civil liberties in the run-up.China has faced pressure to improve civil liberties in the run-up.
US President George W Bush was among several world leaders to express concern over a crackdown on dissidents.US President George W Bush was among several world leaders to express concern over a crackdown on dissidents.
And security remains a major concern, with a number of threats of disruption.And security remains a major concern, with a number of threats of disruption.
On Friday an Air China flight bound for Beijing from Tokyo was forced to turn back after a bomb threat was received.On Friday an Air China flight bound for Beijing from Tokyo was forced to turn back after a bomb threat was received.
Airline officials said the threat, made by e-mail, was directly related to the Olympics. The plane landed safely in Japan and was being searched.Airline officials said the threat, made by e-mail, was directly related to the Olympics. The plane landed safely in Japan and was being searched.
Nevertheless, after a succession of controversial issues in the build-up the focus has now shifted to the opening ceremony.Nevertheless, after a succession of controversial issues in the build-up the focus has now shifted to the opening ceremony.
It has taken seven years of planning, and costs are estimated to have hit a record-breaking $40bn (£20bn).It has taken seven years of planning, and costs are estimated to have hit a record-breaking $40bn (£20bn).
Film director Zhang Yimou has been charged with portraying 5,000 years of Chinese history in one show.Film director Zhang Yimou has been charged with portraying 5,000 years of Chinese history in one show.
It is being staged at China's new national stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its steel lattice construction - in front of 90,000 fans.It is being staged at China's new national stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its steel lattice construction - in front of 90,000 fans.
Jacques Rogge, the head of the International Olympic Committee, who has repeatedly defended the decision to let China host the Olympics, said he hoped the Games would help the world to understand China, and China to understand the world.Jacques Rogge, the head of the International Olympic Committee, who has repeatedly defended the decision to let China host the Olympics, said he hoped the Games would help the world to understand China, and China to understand the world.
On the morning of the opening ceremony, a BBC reading suggested Beijing's air quality remained below World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.On the morning of the opening ceremony, a BBC reading suggested Beijing's air quality remained below World Health Organisation (WHO) standards.
But Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, is predicting that heavy rain over the weekend will clear the skies, and he warned that hazy conditions should not be confused with high levels of pollution.But Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, is predicting that heavy rain over the weekend will clear the skies, and he warned that hazy conditions should not be confused with high levels of pollution.
"If the visibility is not good it does not mean the air quality is not good," he said."If the visibility is not good it does not mean the air quality is not good," he said.
On Thursday, Mr Rogge said if the pollution was bad, events which lasted more than an hour could be shifted or postponed.On Thursday, Mr Rogge said if the pollution was bad, events which lasted more than an hour could be shifted or postponed.
But he also praised China's "extraordinary" efforts to cut pollution ahead of the Games, saying there was no danger to athletes' health.But he also praised China's "extraordinary" efforts to cut pollution ahead of the Games, saying there was no danger to athletes' health.
Tibet protestsTibet protests
As the opening drew near, rights groups and some international leaders continued to keep the pressure on China.As the opening drew near, rights groups and some international leaders continued to keep the pressure on China.
HAVE YOUR SAYWe hope the Games will show our guests China today, not China 30 years ago Roc, ChinaSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAYWe hope the Games will show our guests China today, not China 30 years ago Roc, ChinaSend us your comments
Mr Bush told an audience at the US embassy in Beijing on Friday: "We continue to be candid about our belief that all people should have the freedom to say what they think and worship as they choose."Mr Bush told an audience at the US embassy in Beijing on Friday: "We continue to be candid about our belief that all people should have the freedom to say what they think and worship as they choose."
Human Rights Watch issued a statement saying foreign journalists continued to face harassment and censorship in China.Human Rights Watch issued a statement saying foreign journalists continued to face harassment and censorship in China.
Beijing continued to face particular criticism over its treatment of anti-Chinese protesters in Tibet.Beijing continued to face particular criticism over its treatment of anti-Chinese protesters in Tibet.
Exiled Tibetans held angry protests in Nepal, with hundreds reported to have been arrested in the capital, Kathmandu.Exiled Tibetans held angry protests in Nepal, with hundreds reported to have been arrested in the capital, Kathmandu.
China frequently dismisses criticism over its domestic policies - particularly in Tibet - as interference in its internal affairs.China frequently dismisses criticism over its domestic policies - particularly in Tibet - as interference in its internal affairs.