Beijing - China launched the 29th summer Olympics Friday with a glittering opening ceremony combining 5,000 years of its past with a modern firecracker of a show. The start of the four-hour extravaganza saw the Beijing sky light up after each section of the show, a journey through the history of the once reclusive country which is aims to use the Olympics to showcase its rise to a world power.
China's President Hu Jintao officially opened the Games, slightly varying from the traditional formula by saying: "Now I declare open the XXIX Beijing Olympic Games."
"It has been a dream of the Chinese people for a century to host the Olympics. I welcome the athletes from all nations and regions of the world," said organizing committee chief Liu Qi in his welcome speech.
