The opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games staged in Beijing on Friday night has caught nearly 40 billion people's eyes worldwide.
A dream-come-true resonance that longed for a hundred years and prepared for 84 months is giving millions of reasons to Chinese to have a sleepless night.
THRILLING VENUE AUDIENCE AND ATHLETES
"The most exciting moment is the igniting part, it combines technology, traditional arts and Li Ning's effort in such a perfect way," Xie Mengxin, a girl sitting in the stadium, known as Bird's Nest, said after the ceremony.
"There have been so many heart-shaking moments in it and we were all thrilled," she said, adding that the spacewalking-like showing of the last torch bearer for the Games has beyond her imagination.
Paduld Sri Rohana de Pettagan, an official with the Sri Lanka Olympic Committee, said "I love the countdown part which combines the Chinese ancient history with the modern high technology."
"The opening is so good, with so many hi-tech features. The organizers used fireworks, LED screen, video and audio technologies to show the best of China," he added.
"Every part of the preparation of the Beijing Olympic Games is fantastic. The Games is an opportunity for the world to understand China, and for China to understand the world as well." Michael Naumann, a tourist from Germany who watched the ceremony on TV, told Xinhua.
"It was awesome. A lot different from the other ones. Being a vet, seeing the new guys' faces when we were walking into the stadium for the first time was awesome." Brian Olson from U.S. said.
"This Olympics has gone above and beyond. It was special, whether it's your fourth or first." the judoka coming from Tallahassee, Florida said.
"It was once in a lifetime, I loved it. I was speechless at times. I really liked the torch and the guy flying through the air," said Demetrius Andrade, a U.S. Boxer from Providence, Rhode Island.
"It was really nice, it was inspirational. It made me want to compete," said another Boxer Sadam Ali who was among others encouraged to "give it all you have got" by U.S. president George Bush before attending the opening ceremony.
ATTRACTING OVERSEA INTERESTS
"Although I could not share the joy of holding the Games with Chinese, I think China will bring brand new Olympics with this fantastic ceremony," said a citizen surnamed Brown at Times square in New York city.
"I will watch the Beijing Games from tonight since holding Olympics in the most populous, fastest growing and vigorous country will be a significant event for the human beings," the man who actively take the interview with Xinhua said.
"The opening ceremony is an unique and spectacular occasion," said Neol Mackson Wasamunu, a Zambian photographer, "it manifests China's superb organization for the Olympic Games."
"The gathering of international athletes also proves that China is a friend of the world. It is 'One World' now!" said Wasamunu, who is with Zambia Daily Mail.
"It's fantastic, really fantastic," Mari Suzuki with Association of Japanese Symphony Orchestras said, "it has shown a great artistry of the director Zhang Yimou and changed my past view on China."
"I was deeply moved by the performing kids in the ceremony because they are so lovely," she said, adding that the magnificent art performance would present China with a new face to the world.
"When Japanese athletes pacing into the stadium, I can hear from the TV Chinese cheering and feel that it has come from inside of their hearts," Suzuki wished the Games a great success.
CHINESE CITIZENS OVERWHELMED BY HAPPINESS, EXCITEMENT
In downtown Shanghai, China's biggest city, Friday night, buildings were outlined by twinkling lights and decorations. Local people wearing T-shirts reading "Go China!" and "One World, One Dream" gathered together to watch the opening ceremony.
Thousands of people watched huge outdoor screen displays in streets counted down for the ceremony by echoing the ceremony on TV.
"Although I can't sit in the Bird's Nest to watch it, I almost cried when the song chanting our motherland finished by the red little girl," Liu Dong, a senior studying in Fudan University, said.
"It's a glory that belongs to every Chinese in the world," he added.
In Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Memet Ismail's family began preparing supper an hour earlier than normal days -- just for watching the opening ceremony on TV on time and without distraction.
"I'm very happy to see so many friends from all over the world come to Beijing. The Olympic Games is just like a seed that grows friendship and peace," he said while watching the ceremony along with his wife and daughter. "As a Chinese, I feel very proud," he said.
Thousands of local people gathered at the Shangxiajiu Square in Guangzhou, south China's business center, to watch the opening ceremony in front of a screen overlooking the square. Many of them were wearing Olympic-themed cloths with their faces painted with five-ring symbols to show their support to the Games.
Over one hundred migrant workers living in Guangzhou gathered at their dormitory hall to watch TV.
"Usually I don't watch much sport events on TV, but I never want to miss it this time," said 22-year-old Zhou Xiaobing.
Huang Zhengyu waited anxiously for the Chinese delegation's parade into the stadium at his home in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, as his son Huang Haiqiang would be among the 639-strong Chinese team.
Huang's 20-year-old son will take part in high jump during the 16-day Games. He said he and his wife decided to just stay home and watch his son's performance on TV with their relatives.
"It of the greatest honor for an athlete to participate the Olympic Games. I am so proud of my son," Huang said.
(Xinhua News Agency August 9, 2008)