Fireworks light up China sky at Asiad
Guangzhou, Nov. 12: Light beams, fireworks and water jets exploded from the banks of the Pearl River as China marked the opening of the Asian Games, two years after dazzling the world with a gala opener to the Beijing Olympics.
Unlike the land-bound festivities at the Bird’s Nest stadium that featured thousands of performers moving in coordination in 2008, Asian Games directors paid tribute to coastal Guangdong province’s seafaring heritage on Friday.
The 27,000-capacity stadium stood as the cabin; four towering pillars in front of it unfurled eight video screens that doubled as sails. Tickets to the ceremony went for as much as 6,800 Chinese yuan ($1,025).
Chinese Premier Wen Jiaobao declared the games open. He was joined in the dignitaries box by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, as well as International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge.
As the athletes marched into the stadium, one closely watched entrance was the Japanese. Relations between Beijing and Tokyo have deteriorated recently after Japanese officials arrested a Chinese captain near islands claimed by both sides, a move that sparked protests across the country.
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