■　Written by Qiu Ruixian, Li Ying
Translated by Li Weijia
 
August 8, Beijing –Universal goodwill and the five-millennium-old Chinese civilization were stylishly presented on a massive "piece of paper for Chinese painting" during the opening ceremony of the 29th Summer Olympics at the "Bird's Nest" Stadium in Beijing, enchanting the whole world.
 
The "paper" was actually a stage made of LEDs at the center of a state-of-the-art performance named "Beautiful Olympics" which presented several programs over the four hour ceremony.
 
China's President Hu Jintao has declared the opening of the 29th Olympic Games.
 
The President of the International Olympic Committee, Jacques Rogge, and the chairman of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games, Liu Qi, addressed the ceremony, mentioning the international goodwill following the devastating Sichuan earthquake last May.
 
Over 80 heads of states from all over the world attended the ceremony, an unprecedented number.

Performance director general Zhang Yimou from China said the performance was intended to present the "Chinese romantic way".
 
Before the show, 29 "footprint" fireworks symbolizing the 29 Olympic Games up until now were set off one-by-one across the city en route to the National Stadium (nicknamed the "Bird's Nest"). After the "footprints" arrived, persons suspended in the air acting as "Feitian (flyers)", a kind of ancient Chinese spirit, hoisted the Olympic Rings from the ground.
 
"I believe this presentation of the Rings will be classic," Zhang said.
 
The climax was the striking flame-kindling by Li Ning, 45-year-old Olympic gymnastic champion from China, at the end.
 
He was suspended by wire as well, running in the air for 500 meters on the projected and unfolding backdrop of the "Auspicious Cloud" around and above the stands in the stadium. LI eventually kindled the fire, which extended sacred fire to the top of the Main Torch Stand.
 
 "Beautiful Olympics" showcased on "paper stage"
 
The 55-minute show named "Beautiful Olympics" proceeded in two parts, "Brilliant Civilization" and "Glorious", on the movable "paper" stage. Director Zhang tagged them as the "Chinese romantic way".
 
The Chinese made the first piece of paper in the world; paper is one of the country's Four Ancient Inventions. The setup was a marriage of historical civilization and modern technology.
 
 "Brilliant Civilization"

19:56  2008 people drummed Chinese jar instruments and chanted Confucius' famous saying "The visit of friends from far away makes me gay."
 
20:15  A giant roll of painting paper unfolded, with Chinese cultural items like porcelain and bronze wares. Dancers in black painted to music by a 1,100 year-old instrument.
 
20:21  3,000 actors dressed as Confucius' students chanted his masterpiece Analects.
 
20:27  Live music from Peking Opera, with a display of Terra Cotta soldiers .
 
20:31  Dancers performed in the Dunhuang style of the bi-millennium Silk Road Culture.
 
20:38  The top five Chinese ancient paintings were projected on the "paper" with imposing pillars erected to embody five Chinese dynasties, etiquette and hospitality.
 
"Glorious"
 
20:42　 Famed Chinese pianist Lang Lang co-played piano with a five-year-old girl. The color of the "paper stage" was changed from black and white to colorful, meaning entry into the modern era from the past. 1, 000 performers set up a human "Bird's Nest".
 
20:50 The Eight Diagrams were shown in multimedia. 2008 Taiji performers formed a circle, meaning Natural Harmony. The paper was painted green by a group of children, expressing the environmentally-friendly dream.
 
20:59 A huge globe appeared with suspended people walking on it. Duet of Liu Hua from China and Sarah Brightman from the UK sang the theme song "You and Me" atop the globe. Smiling faces selected from a global solicitation were shown on 2,008 umbrellas as fireworks burst into the air.