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| Spectacular opening for Olympics | Spectacular opening for Olympics |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| China has presented a dramatic display of fireworks, music and dancing to mark the opening of its Beijing Olympics. | 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 ceremony, watched on TV by an estimated one billion people, before athletes paraded around the national stadium. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Analysts say it is the most politicised Games since the Cold War era. | Analysts say it is the most politicised Games since the Cold War era. |
| The build-up to the event was dogged by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record. | The build-up to the event was dogged by worries over pollution and criticism of China's rights record. |
| Olympics: Live coverageIn 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. | |
| But after the controversy of the run-up, the opening ceremony certainly changed the focus of attention. | But after the controversy of the run-up, the opening ceremony certainly changed the focus of attention. |
| 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 choreographed show took seven years to plan, and costs are estimated to have hit a record-breaking $40bn (£20bn). | The choreographed show took seven years to plan, and costs are estimated to have hit a record-breaking $40bn (£20bn). |
| 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. | 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. |
| More than three hours later, China's President Hu Jintao officially declared the Games open. | |
| Bomb threat | Bomb threat |
| Nevertheless, security has remained a pressing concern for the Chinese authorities. | 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. | 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: |
| Beijing pollution: Facts and figures | 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. | • 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 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 worries | Weather worries |
| Pollution remains a key concern for the Games and on the morning of the opening ceremony, fog obscured the Beijing skyline. | 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. | 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 comments | HAVE 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. |
| 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 that 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. |