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Security tight for Olympics start Security tight for Olympics start
(8 minutes later)
The Chinese capital, Beijing, is preparing to open the 2008 Olympic Games with a lavish ceremony, amid tight security on the city's streets.The Chinese capital, Beijing, is preparing to open the 2008 Olympic Games with a lavish ceremony, amid tight security on the city's streets.
An extra 100,000 troops and police have been deployed, and the city's main airport is being closed for the duration of the ceremony.An extra 100,000 troops and police have been deployed, and the city's main airport is being closed for the duration of the ceremony.
The festivities will involve 10,000 performers and will be watched on TV by an estimated one billion people.The festivities will involve 10,000 performers and will be watched on TV by an estimated one billion people.
President Hu Jintao said: "The historic moment we have awaited is arriving."President Hu Jintao said: "The historic moment we have awaited is arriving."
However, the BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing described the mood in the city as muted - despite the fevered build-up.However, the BBC's Michael Bristow in Beijing described the mood in the city as muted - despite the fevered build-up.
He said streets had been blocked off, there were few cars on the roads and Olympic volunteers seemed to outnumber ordinary people.He said streets had been blocked off, there were few cars on the roads and Olympic volunteers seemed to outnumber ordinary people.
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.
China promises 'greatest' GamesIn pictures: Beijing's big dayBeijing pollution: Facts and figuresChina promises 'greatest' GamesIn 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 is now shifting to the opening ceremony.Nevertheless, after a succession of controversial issues in the build-up the focus is now shifting 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 will be staged at China's new national stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its steel lattice construction - and some 10,000 performers will take part.It will be staged at China's new national stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its steel lattice construction - and some 10,000 performers will take part.
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Fans gather outside the "Bird's Nest" stadiumFans gather outside the "Bird's Nest" stadium
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.
Visibility was also very poor on Friday, with one official warning that the cloud could interfere with the ceremony.Visibility was also very poor on Friday, with one official warning that the cloud could interfere with the ceremony.
"There are clouds covering Beijing and we are really concerned that will have an influence on tonight's ceremony," said Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Observatory."There are clouds covering Beijing and we are really concerned that will have an influence on tonight's ceremony," said Guo Hu, director of the Beijing Meteorological Observatory.
But Mr Guo 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 Mr Guo 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 comments HAVE 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.