Beijing citizens celebrate Olympics’ opening ceremony

As the world erupted into applause, China’s fantastic Olympic showcase being screened round the world, approximately 100,000 packed the streets at Wangfuxing to watch the unforgettable opening ceremony—a similar sight to when the Olympic decision was of?cially made in Beijing’s favour in 2001.
   China joined the World Trade Organization the same year, and has since waited anxiously to have its say amid a year of political controversy to showcase its latest image to the world. Indeed, the show was not to disappoint.
   Chinese supporters were chanting the words, ‘Zhongguo, jaiyou’—‘China, come on’—as the bird’s nest, a postmodernist 91,000-seat stadium erupted in a synergy of technology, ?reworks and the extraordinary organization of human talent. Dressed in red and waving national and Olympic ?ags, the chants could be heard throughout the streets of Beijing.
   Many thousands also waited for the ?reworks outside Tiananmen Square—off-limits to the public for safety reasons as displays were speci?cally time-charged to explode simultaneously all over China’s capital.
   Most remarkably however, the majority became silent, most even turning round to pay their respects as citizens of other nations cheered and sung national anthems while their athletes entered the stadium.
   One game Kiwi even did the haka, much to the enjoyment and applause of all the spectators present.
   ’There’s a real sense of unity out here tonight,’ says Ferdinand du Plessis. ‘The Sarkozy lookalike from France was just one of thousands of international travellers that had arrived to be a part of the opening festival in Beijing. ‘The Olympic feeling is as hot and sweaty as the streets of Beijing,’ he continued, sweat dripping down his chest as he led chants for the Chinese to follow on enthusiastically.
   The presence of Sarkozy at the Olympic ceremony while many EU leaders decided not to attend was of potential controversy, but in effect great publicity for the leader of the European Union. Approximately 4 billion people were expected to watch. Governor-General Anand Satyanand attended. Also present was Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast to further the sister-city relationship between Wellington and Beijing.
   ‘Most powerful for me was the whale scene,’ Joos Boreson, a Dutch national says. ‘It was a direct statement by the Olympic Committee for the anti-whaling campaign against the Norwegians and Japanese.’
   Boos in the crowd were only present once the Japanese entered the stadium—notably for their role in the invasion of China. All other countries, especially the ?ags which Chinese nationals could recognize, were praised. It seemed that most were inspired by the Olympic message, ‘One world, one dream.’
   Countries like the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States received the most praise, as well as some of the more notable African and Arabian states, even those countries like Iraq and Afghanistan adversely affected by war throughout the year.
    ‘My favourite was seeing George Bush looking up dreamily at our nation’s great night,’ says Li Xuhing, a student at Qingdao University. ‘It looked like he was thinking that this is how he should have made the most of his opportunity.’—Nathan Hoturoa Gray

Nathan Hoturoa Gray is on an Asia–New Zealand Foundation Grant to China covering the changes to the country since his trek along the entire length of the Great Wall in 2000. He is available for reporting assignments, further commentary or syndication.