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Spectacular opening for Olympics Spectacular opening for Olympics
(about 1 hour later)
A dramatic display of dancing, music and fireworks has taken place at China's packed national stadium, opening the Beijing Olympic Games. China has presented a dramatic display of fireworks, music and dancing to mark the opening of its Beijing Olympics.
Some 10,000 performers took part in the festivities, watched on TV by an estimated one billion people. Some 10,000 performers took part in the ceremony, watched on TV by an estimated one billion people, before athletes paraded around the national stadium.
Athletes are now parading around the stadium, ahead of the official opening of the Games. Security was tight in the capital, and three US activists were arrested after holding a pro-Tibet protest. Larger rallies took place in Nepal and India.
The city's main airport has been closed for duration the ceremony, amid heightened security in the capital. Analysts say it is the most politicised Games since the Cold War era.
The build-up to the event has been dominated by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record. class="" href="/sport1/hi/olympics/live_action/7549103.stm">Olympics: Live coverage class="" href="/sport1/hi/olympics/7548773.stm">In pictures: Beijing's big day class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7498198.stm">Beijing pollution: Facts and figures The build-up to the event was dogged by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record.
But after a succession of controversial issues in the build-up, the opening ceremony was an attention-grabbing affair. class="" href="/sport1/hi/olympics/live_action/7549103.stm">Olympics: Live coverage class="" href="/sport1/hi/olympics/7548773.stm">In pictures: Beijing's big day Beijing has faced pressure to improve civil liberties - with US President George W Bush among several world leaders to express concern over a crackdown on dissidents.
The choreographed show took seven years to plan, and costs are estimated to have hit a record-breaking $40bn (£20bn). But after the controversy of the run-up, the opening ceremony certainly changed the focus of attention.
Film director Zhang Yimou was charged with portraying 5,000 years of Chinese history in one show.
Some 90,000 fans packed the new national stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its steel lattice construction - and cheered the performers.Some 90,000 fans packed the new national stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its steel lattice construction - and cheered the performers.
The 2008 Olympics have been described as the most politicised Games since the boycott era of the early 1980s. The choreographed show took seven years to plan, and costs are estimated to have hit a record-breaking $40bn (£20bn).
China has faced pressure to improve civil liberties in the run-up - with US President George W Bush among several world leaders to express concern over a crackdown on dissidents. It began at eight minutes past eight on the evening of 8 August, reflecting the belief widespread in Asia that eight is a lucky number.
And security remained a pressing concern for the Chinese authorities right up to the opening ceremony. Bomb threat
An extra 100,000 troops and police have been deployed in the capital, and areas including Tiananmen Square were closed off. Nevertheless, security has remained a pressing concern for the Chinese authorities.
An extra 100,000 troops and police have been deployed in the capital. Areas including Tiananmen Square - which could provide a rallying point for protesters - were closed off.
In other developments:In other developments:
• Three US activists were detained while attempting to mount a pro-Tibet protest near the national stadium, according to the Associated Press. class="" href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7498198.stm">Beijing pollution: Facts and figures
• Three US activists were detained while trying to mount a pro-Tibet protest near the national stadium, according to the Associated Press.
• A protester tried to set himself alight outside the Chinese embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara, as Chinese Muslims protested against alleged rights violations in China.• A protester tried to set himself alight outside the Chinese embassy in the Turkish capital Ankara, as Chinese Muslims protested against alleged rights violations in China.
• An Air China flight bound for Beijing from Tokyo was forced to turn back after an Olympic-related bomb threat was received.• An Air China flight bound for Beijing from Tokyo was forced to turn back after an Olympic-related bomb threat was received.
• 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.
• Hundreds of Buddhist monks tried to storm the Chinese embassy in New Delhi, India, in protest at Beijing's Tibet policies. • Hundreds of Buddhist monks tried to storm the Chinese embassy in Delhi, India, in protest at Beijing's Tibet policies.
Weather worriesWeather worries
On the morning of the opening ceremony, a BBC reading suggested Beijing's air quality remained below World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Pollution remains a key concern for the Games and on the morning of the opening ceremony, fog obscured the Beijing skyline.
A BBC reading suggested air quality remained below World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
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
But Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, predicted that heavy rain over the weekend would clear the skies.But Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Observatory, predicted that heavy rain over the weekend would clear the skies.
And he warned that hazy conditions should not be confused with high levels of pollution.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. On Thursday, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said events that lasted more than an hour could be shifted or postponed if the pollution was bad.
On Thursday, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said events which lasted more than an hour could be shifted or postponed if the pollution was bad.
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.