why so many people say Free Tibet?
have you ever been there?
have you ever been in china?
people inTibet is not free?
who tells you?
do you think you know the truth?
I've been in Tibet, i'm a chinese,life in Tibet is free,happy.
i have seen many times that our police make their greatest efforts to help everyone under terrorist¡®s attack
maybe i didn't know everything
but there's one thing:many Western country's government support the terrorist against china,so do Western medias,they just love to tell you guys that chinese is bad,sometimes they just made stories for you

Looks to me like China has made great progress. Do you remember how it looked before Mao? Check out some old photos.

I recall when air pollution was so bad flying from city to city in our country that you couldn't see anything but a dark brown cloud. But we cleaned it up. They will, too.

The Chinese have always been a respected people. Remember Marco Polo?
They have an excellent work ethic & will improve their human rights with time; whereas, where is our country headed. That's what is depressing to me.

And how about the countries south of us giving back to the Indians the land the conquistadors stole, with the sword, from them.

All is good

The pictures are really very amazing..thanks for posting
The chinese people proved again!!!
Hats off to them..

Lets just enjoy a good game. Be a good sport. Don't let politics destroy others dream.

Don't be jellies. If you can't beat them, join them.

simply superb compilation!!! great work

china is growing very well i see the see the his bright future.
thanks to give me the incredible scence.

BEST OF LUCK BEIJING OLYMPICS
&
BEST BEST LUCK OF INDIAN PLAYERS WHO PART OF OLYMPIC
ATUL AKOLA MH INDIAN

i just hope all that bad weather clears up for our canidan athletes

awsome pics mind blowing........

Wonderful Photos! Leave the politics at home and let the athletes show their stuff. That's what the olympics are all about.
Go Canada! Make us proud as always. And thank you China for providing awesome facilities.

Maybe one of the first post after the opening ceremony on 08-08-08:08 - - well, if anyone who's posted negative-China now has a change of heart - good on you. If not, please, feel free to go on living your own ignorant lives. But I certainly hope it was an eye opener.

BTW, the Olympics - do you really think they are meant for the world? No. They are meant for the 1.3 bn Chinese - solidarity, national pride etc etc. If anyone who's not been to or lived in China substantially, Shut Up. The media's just writing stories to sell to gullibles. See China, feel it for yourselves. Experience the pride that Chinese people have in their nation. Sure, there may be dissent, that's everywhere. If anyone thinks that it does not exist in their own country, shout it out LOUD. And Americans are the loudest hypocrites by any standards.

So many truths penned in the previous 475 posts. But so many ignorant and pitiful souls admist so much beauty that is China.

I think chinese are great and its a memorable day of olympics.Its a mysterious day of the world............

I visited China a couple of years ago and enjoyed it immensely. However, I too think that if one gets a mile or so from the venues it will look like it did when we were there; not conditions I'd want to live in. I hope this is the beginning of a bright future for China and I think they probably are the up-and-coming new superpower of the world.

thanks for the pic, very great.

olympics game is international act, please leave politics away.

just feeling every athletes from different country, group together enjoy the olympic game, we are family, please let's peace, claim and no war.

that's everyone's world & everyone's dream and ..... dream's come true to china.

c'est de la folie... ceux qui gouvernent sont de grands malades... et à part signer une pétition ou bien faire un commentaire... personnellement je me noie dans l'énormité de cette machine qui nous écrase... depressing sure ! pourtant la vie est tellement magnifique que j'ai honte des hommes qui la maltraite... serrons nous et aimons nous, nous les humains ! ciao erual

can't comment on the two faced country like china.
this pic reveals some hidden fears of and about china

Well,I do think those people who hates China should go there and take a look.
Maybe China is still deficient.But we can sure they made great efforts.
About Tibet,I just don't understand why some people enjoy shouting:Free Tibet!
How do they know Tibetans are not free?From newspapers?From some 'authoritative' broadcasts?Or from rumors?
I think Chines should face all the judgment.To break down all the inequtible judhment!

ITHINK WE SHOULD BE HAPPY FOR CHINA WHEN WE SEE THE COUNTRY WORK SO HARD FOR THE 2008 OLUMPIC.

HEY! IF YOU WERE A CHINESE TODAY, YOU HAVE BEEN POOR AND HAS BEEN LOOKED DOWN BY OTHER COUNTRIES THAT OH! THEY HAVE NO FOOD TO EAT ... ETC. BUT TODAY, YOU DON'T BELIEF IN YOUR EYES THAT CHINA HAS WORKED SO HARD TO SHOW YOU THAT THEY ARE STRIEVING FOR THE IMPROVEMENT AND HOPE THE ATHELET AND VISITOR WILL ENJOY THE GAMES.
PLEASE BE HAPPY WITH CHINA AND MAY GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY AND MORE PEOPLE WILL LIFE LIKE US.
THANKS FOR YOUR OPEN MINDED AND COME VISIT CHINA AND FIND IT OUT YOURSELF. DON'T BE BRIAN WASHED BY ONE NEWS REPORTER.
DO YOU KNOW? SOME REPORTER HAS CHANGED WHAT THEY HAD WRITTEN BAD THINGS ABOUT CHINA BECAUSE THEY DON'T BELIEF THAT CHINA HAS IMPROVED SO FAST AND HAS GROWN SO STRONG AFTER THEY HAD VISITED CHINA THEN THEY WROTE ALL THE BAD THINGS ABOUT CHINA IN THE PAST.

PLEASE GO TO CHINA, EXPLORE AND SEE IN BY YOURSELF.
BLESS THEM INSTEAD OF SAYING OTHER PEOPLE'S WEAKNESS.

I WONDERED WHICH COUNTRY ON EARTH WILL SAY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE POVERTY AND CORRUPTION????

This is to # 64 ....your comment is so ignorant, you have missed the point completely and you are not funny.
We must stop negative generalizations of other cultures.

BRAVO CHINA, you did a good job for the Olympic Games.

Still another challenge for you CHINA PEOPLE, MAKE YOUR COUNTRY A REAL DEMOCRACY where basic HUMAN RIGHTS are recpected.

China, come on.

Breathtaking photography.

Beautiful pictures! Grand efforts! How many empty rice bowls and hungry stomachs did it take to build these monumental structures? Like the great pyramids in Egypt many years ago, were these built on the backs of the people?

Comment on #487 - Answer to your comment on 'empty rice bowls' - don't worry. Even if there are empty rice bowls, so to speak, as a foreigner living in China all these years, I tell you, there are no resentments from the Chinese people as it is done with great pride and with a hope for the future. Personally, doing business in China through the Sichuan earthquake, the US economy / US$, oil prices, Olympics restraints etc, the Chinese are resolved enough to fulfill their ambitions. isn't that just great? So what's a few empty rice bowls - by Chinese and foreigners - to sacrifice for what is a great nation?

Fascinating enigma of a country.

Can't help but admire China but be frightened. It seems they have a masterful ability to achieve whatever they want to - one can only hope that this will be applied long after the Olympics are over to increasingly dire issues of pollution, hostility between neighboring countries and the freedom of the people.

nice and very beautiful

#487.

By building up infrastructure to support the Olympics will only speed up the country development. The Olympics gives a good deadline pressure and a clear goal to carry such tasks and mission.

Through massive infrastructure build-up, the poor gets most of the benefits - huge number of low skill jobs were created overnight. After built-up of an efficient and massive infrastructure, the poor can have easier access to vast area to look for jobs. Business costs will be lowered. More people can be hired etc.

Where on earth and which single economy kept creating 20 million new jobs a year for nearly 20 years?

How long the fish can last if the country only hands out fish to the poor? It is by giving the right tools to the poor to fish, teaching the poor how to fish and facilitating them to fish - then the poverty problem can be solved permanently.

That is the same reason why China could lift 100,000 people out of poverty every day in the last decade!

A pyramid is not an infrastructure. A subway system is. A Sphinx has no use to
anyone (except to the tourists now, 4500 years after it was built).

Do you still want to equate pyramid and the sphinx with bridges, roads, airports, phone network, water, electricity, sports venue etc.?

The opening ceremony was awesome. Congratulations China! It costs about 100 million US dollars to prepare for the opening ceremony - roughly the same cost as a mediocre Holliwood movie.

Isn't it cheap for what the economics benefits has been generated for China?.... PR/marketing/Branding of a country and the message and show was/will be watched by 4 billion people in the world. China does not need to pay for any carrier cost to proliferate such message, and actually the carriers (TV networks, newspapers, radios etc) have to pay to broadcast the show and subtly send out the PR/branding message.

I don't know what better deal can anyone get? The grandeur opening was directed by Zhang Yi Mou! Luckily for China and Zhang that Steven Spieberg pulled out from being one of the Art directors. Otherwise he would definitely be a millstone around Zhang and everybody's neck!

beautyfull pictures.... bellissime foto... che le Olimpiadi riescano a riscaldare il cuore di tutti i politici for FREE TIBET

DEPRESSING? NOH... I CANT REALLY IMAGINE WHY THEY SAY THIS THING. AMAZING IS THE APPRORIATE WORD... CHINA WANTS TO LET THE WORLD SEE HOW FAR THEYVE ACCOMLISPHED... THE NEXT SUPER POWER!!!!!

I can't help thinking while viewing all these "magnificent" works of industrial art --how each piece helped increase the pollution in this country, and just for a temporary "showing," or pr campaign. This is deception at its best. And certainly not worth human suffering and lives. We don't need show, we need people working together to improve the peoples and environments of earth. We all know what we really need to do. For one, assisting nature and thus the peoples of earth, much less China. How about setting an example this way instead of temporary coverup of how things really are in this regard. Just think of it, when things are back to "normal", runners can't even run safely in this area....the outward appearance is not always what's within...or as we say in America, "what you see is not always what you get!" Let us never lose sight of what's really important and always work to IMPROVE life, nothing else. What I loved was the smiling faces of the beautiful Chinese people, and of course the art and costumes. Aesthetics is a powerful and wonderful thing and I thank China for this.

- whoever think that they've never sinned should throw the first stone, I saw many people throwing stones at China

- are we so perfect? let's give China a chance

- don't bring in politic to Olympic, we are degrading the spirit of Olympic

- some of you (esp Hollywood stars) should consider taking a course in Chinese history then followed by a tour to Tibet - before you make any further comments

- let's all enjoy and celebrate the great Olympic !!!!!

wow!!! it's really fantastic......

it coudn't be better !!

i wish i can c it ..

This message is for #64 comment. Whoever you are...Mr Duck, you're very ignorant. Just be thankful and happy for China's achievement. It is very sad to think that there are some people like you still existing in this world. People like you is a big embarassment to you own country. JUST ENJOY WATCHING THE OLYMPIC AND YOU WILL BE PLEASED!

I agree with #462.
The US or Canada has never experience communism wehre they have to build
from the bottom up, or have 1.3 billion people. The is the first time in Chinese
history that the people are free.
The government does attend to problems as fast as they can.
Give the governement credit for a job well done.

Impresionant...fara cuvinte...putina lume stie ce forta economica e China

Truly an Olympics to remember !

very mind blowing photos, thanks for the shots. many grew up with different impressions of china. Now I am getting impressed with it and seeing that they want to change. The physical change is great. China is getting to be a very advanced country where the changes cant happen fast enough. With millions of workers anything can be done it seems. Such things done to an incredible scale and complexity. They seem to mean business and now parts of the rest of the world need to catch up with China? I thought they were treated as a country that needed our help. Now we need to learn from them. When they wish to do something they dont mess around. Im sure they are opening up to the millions of tourists that will now want to come to china. They can hack the pollution for a few day or weeks. The people of china are used to it all though but are learning from the Olympics how to clean up things. In North America I dont think we would be brave enough to ban the cars for the sake at an attempt to have clean air for the games. Pressure to change can do that to a nation. Who is going to top the new gold standard of Chinas games. Good luck. Chineese people should be proud of their work and even greater sense of the experience. The changes are for the better. People will adapt.

New China gives the world a great great surprise.

it is amasing NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT

Chinese people is living in better condition. Having food on the table is a progress! Have you been in the WWI and WWII where people die and many have no job and no food for the family.

Will you choose death, poor health or food on the table and improved living condition? No wonder so many of you are depressing when you waste too much food and nothing better to do except to complain.

amir hossein

2008 Olympics is not about the games, it's all about China. They want to showcase to the world how supreme they are. They want to let everyone know that they are going to be the new Super Power of the world. If you think Americans are bad, wait and see how ruthless the Chinese will be. They are the most greedy and vicious people in the world. Just wait and see.

its wonderful and i hope to go there some day xoxo

China and it's people have shown the world that they can put on a world class show. Bravo Zulu.

GREAT. FANRASTIC. Very proud indeed.

simply nothing to say about it........an awesome Olympics to remember for the rest of the life !

China has demonstrated his strength in many fields in the opening ceremony, this is a assembly of technics and arts. It is a turning point of modern China. I was totally astonished by the great achievement I saw that night. As a resident in Taiwan ,I congrats China.

China has demonstrated his strength in many fields in the opening ceremony, this is a assembly of technics and arts. It is a turning point of modern China. I was totally astonished by the great achievement I saw that night. As a resident in Taiwan ,I congrats China.

fantastic .well china

SLAVE LABOR CAN DO WONDERS!!!!

As always, the American "coocoo" liberals find it to be America's fault for everything going on in the world.. The wars, the hungy, the poor, the oppressed, and so on.. We cannot fix the world's problems. I am so sick of hearing those rich, educated, idiot liberals only spew their venom about our country, but do nothing for those they think we should help.. Why don't the liberals just give up everything, their fancy lifestyles, large mansions, expensive cars and live under a bridge, starve to death and save the world. Maybe we, the rest of Americans would all be better for it. Our country is the most generous, the most giving and the kindest to all the world - that IS the reason we are blamed for everything and despised.. They all blame us and hate us, but they all want to come here to live better. They all want a piece of America!! What we need to do is to become very selfish and take care of our own peop le and problems, God knows we have plenty of them right here at home.. And by the way.. I am a naturalized LEGAL citizen of my country.. AMERICA!! God bless her and keep her safe from coocoo liberals!!

Omg that was awsome the last pic was so sad! :(

Some beautiful photos. But lets remember folks China is a communist country and wouldn't think twice or give you a fair court hearing on anything.Chop your head off in one swipe! China has never let God in and my church funds underground printing for bibles to be printed and distributed.I know I give money for missions. They hold prayer meeting in secrets. Behind closed doors they pray for China to have churches. Did you know that 1 million chinese are christians it's a fact! The earthquake a few months ago was devasting don't forget! Hundreds of thousands died...but some died believing in our Lord Jesus Christ thanks to the underground preaching and teachings!!!!

I am a HK Chinese. It is strange to see that there are more good comments than bad comments in the blog. You western guys really not quite understand Chinese!

after the olympics...comes the deluge...more pains in the asses for everybody...all over the world....some countries are still paying their overly exuberance of debts in the olympian size....

Ovo je zaista do sada nevidjeno.Zaista su nadmasili svako ocekivanje

Simplemente espectacular

#515 EXCELLENT!!! WELL SAID!!!

I don't really know much except what the media feeds us. The media says that the athletes are chosen for their body types just as the little girl that sang in the opening ceremonies lip sang because the one whose voice it wasn't presentable enough. As far as equality, Americans should realize where the Chinese stand. Yes, all countries do the same thing and if you think differerntly then you live in bubble. We all take pride in who and what we are and should support beauty where we find it. What we shouldn't support is the ugliness behind it.

I sat in awe at what the Chinese accomplished to hold the Olympics this year. The opening was fantastic. I just hope they can continue their march into the new century with more democratic ideas and and freedom for their people. Whether we like it or not, the truth is that we will have to develop interdependent relations for both our futures. I congratulate the Chinese people for an outstanding Olympics and their hospitality.

Several comments have been made about the expense of the Olympics but expense is all relative to what you (China) gets out of what is put into it. The profits may far exceed the expense. That is for China to determine......

Excellent view of the preparation for the big event. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers
Jay

INCREDIBLE PICTURES!!!!!

THE PHOTOS FELT VERY TRANQUIL AND LETHARGIC...... ALMOST MOTIONLESS.....

When you are pointing a finger at other, there are 3 fingers pointing at yourself. You should look at those fingers. American government hides behind the name of democracy they invaded and destroyed other countries, They are the worst terrorists in the world. Iraq, they completely destroyed this oldest civilization, for what? In the last 40 years, they had invaded 3 countries in the name of democracy.

Human right? What is this? American shouldn't even talk about this, just look at their record on their native Indians, Black American and other minorities. How are you American treating them?

Every one has his/her skeleton in the closet, don't pointing your finger so easily. Look at other countries , cultures and political system with open mind, but not bias.

As you American always say " Different strokes for different folks". Chinese will always welcome constructive comments, but not those " We know best" or " we know what is best for you".

Let's enjoy the games, and cheers for are athletes.

515, 517,

The greatest problem with any country is "NO GOD."
The greatest problem with any people is "NO GOD."

Modern history tells us of the benevolence of the Americans. They were drawn into many wars because others were oppressed and fighting. Good things are often misinterpreted or else forgotten. We are living in an unthankful world. China is growing out of radical communism though they do not admit the errors of communism that had drawn them back from progress for decades. God has made the world to see some leaps of improvement and development in China (Esp, in this Olympics 2008) when they become less radical by reforming communism from a decade ago and hopefully to democracy. Enjoy the pictures. Pray for the good of the nation. Pray for the Christians in China.

God bless America, God bless China and God bless Singapore!
Jesus saves.

The pictures are nice. Thanks for sending.

Response to #82 by Clydesider and #102 by Kel:

Totally agree with what you think.

Response to the last sentense of #94 by Ryan,"...they are trying a little too hard to show everyone how great the Beijing games can be." :

The Olympic Games were held in many other countries before. Didn't each sponsoring country try her best to prepare for the event? That's what they should do, right? What's wrong?

I'm sorry to find that there is a typing error in my comment, #531.

The response was directed to #80 by Clydesider, and #102 by Kel.
NOT #82.

#98 by Anonymous: " For 5000 years they didn't learn to make their own things to make them proud....only copy from the others."

Please read more before you make such a comment. You laugh at China, but the world laughs at your ignorance. Do you know which country invented the making of paper, the compass, printing and the gun powder for the firework used everywhere for celebration? China did not 'copy them', but invented them in such early times for the world to copy. Do all these inventions help the world to progress into 'today's world'? Thanks to the brilliant Chinese !

If you think the photos are awesome, stunning, amazing, beautiful..... just go to Beijing for a visit to have a look at those completed buildings, and you will be short of words to describe them.

I have just been back from Beijing for a visit (not with a tour group), and I think it is worth the travelling expenses and the time spent. I have been to the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the 13 Tombs for the Kings, the Great Wall, the famous temples before. So, this time is to have a good look at the modern China. I could only have a good look at some of the new buildings from the outside, as I could not get any ticket to get inside. They are the National Stadium, known as the Birds' Nest , the National Aquatic Center, or called the Water Cube, the National Grand Theater with a glass and titanium dome, and the new China Central Television headquarters building. They are truly a beauty to the eyes! Great are the architects, and great are the workers who helped in building them. I think all of them share the pride in the making of such modern art, which will be used by the general public after the Games.

I have taken rides in the new subways. They are well ventilated, modernly and comfortably designed, with enough sign-posts for directions and announcement in both Chinese and English. I cannot but envy the local people who can make use of them daily.

I have also travelled from Beijing to Tianjin and vice versa in the new bullet train, with a speed of 395 km/hr to watch a football match at the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium, which is also new and can hold an audience of 60,000. The architecture is also spectacular. The new Peking South Railway Station and the new Tianjin Railway Station are also delights to the eyes. There is a big square outside the Tianjin Railway Station where people can take a stroll while waiting for the train.

Such drastic new development for the better do not just take place in Beijin, go and visit Shanghai (another large city of China), and you will be very much amazed, too.

To #515
I wouldn't say that the US is depised but part of the reason there is resentment is because so many have the attitude that the States are better and do things better than anyone else!! Just because it is the best in the States doesn't mean it is the best in the world.!
You do good works but you are not the only country that does so,
This is not to say that the US is not generous and kind andI have never heard anyone blame the US for World hunger, that is generally the fault of the corupt governments of those countries.
I think the US is a great country with great people but I have been in numerous countries in which I would rather live and there are alot of other countries that people run to for a better life not just the states.
The US is a big country and one of the big players in our global world, perhaps it is not the easy to see outside of its borders when you live there.
Everything is not bigger and better just because it is from the US!
And to everyone....in any country...I feel it is totally irresponsible for any government to spent 300 million dollars on any opening cerimony, these elite athletes could still be given the respect they deserve without the extravegant waste.

I'm sorry to find that there is a typing error in my comment, #531.

The response was directed to #80 by Clydesider, and #102 by Kel.
NOT #82.

what in the world do mean by Depressing...
the pics are really nice ,but Depressing?........

To #491 by foktt@rogers.com

What you said is so very true.
What logical thinking!

To #514 by Zoran who wrote,"SLAVE LABOR CAN DO WONDERS!!!!"

'Wonders', they are, but the workers are not 'slaves'.

You can say that for building the Great Wall or the Pyramids, but not for building these modern buildings for the public, as the workers are paid, and not whipped to work! They applied for the job, just like anyone of us does, not compulsary.

To the blogger:
It is excellent that you give space for people to voice their views, and the fact that you don't mind handling them. Many thanks, but why do you have to change the numbers for the entries of comments overnight?

I did print the comments onto paper for easy reading last night. This morning I am surprised to find the original number 491 by foktt @rogers.com has become #492, and in the same way the original number 514 has become #515. So, this proves that I did not make any typing error when I referred to the numbers as I made comments. This time I have proof which I did not have when making my previous comment you numbered 534 & 538. I don't understand why you posted it two times, either.

Could you please tell me why and how it is done?

China has embraced the world! (This is my line, and you heard it here first.)

Some of the most spectacular moments from the past week and a half, besides the great athletes competing, were the moments the Chinese nationals were shown live on TV holding flags of the lesser cheered on countries.

They cheered the Americans on too,

It's easy to give the Chinese government all those human rights, freedom of speech and etc beating, but until I see the other world powers ruling a country with 1.4 billion population, they can't hold a candle to this party.

To Mr. Zhang Yi Mou, Director,

You have done an excellent job on the grand, meaningful and exquisitely beautiful opening of the Beijing Olympic Games. China is certainly proud of you and people admire you for your talents. Congratulations!!!

heeeeellooooooo everyboddddy
damn im only here now to write crap now the games have started oh is this thing still on? hehehehe ohoh

Thank GOD for each of HIS children, and that HE allows each to think and do differently, than what HE could have them do. Each country has the freedom to
decide it's own docrine, and ethics. And, We in the US have our problems too.
The rest of Earth seems not to be so understanding of us... why do we put others down too. Also, it seems that these people have done fantastic things.
Then too, we are doing fantastic things too....look at our leaders, could it get any
more depressing? Our economy, too?
We must realize that China has the Financial Center of the Human Family, now,
bigger than City Bank... who would have thought they would be the world capital
of Capital?

#531 to #534 very neutral and open - minded comments by Eleanor.Very well said. I am a Singaporean but I appreciate that.
Good work!

ver beautiful images

These games have given the ordinary Chinese people something wonderful to look forward to. Most are happy to make sacrifices to see their country's achievements displayed to the rest of the world. They deserve the right to feel proud of their homeland even if it's not perfect (who's is ). Their huge population is does present challenges but they can be immensly proud of what they have achieved and hopfully human rights and freedoms will be given greater attention as China joins the rest of the developed world.

can i leave one comment!!

i lab commenting..

Looking at some of the comments of people who never visited China or had their head up their #ss when they did I think we should step over comments like:
"a billion dirt poor people being bullied by the communists etc. etc." Are you all insane? What planet are your from? Show me the difference between a one party state and your two party State whereas both parties are heavily subsidized by big capital? I tell you the difference:

The one party state has to be benevolent and push a meritocracy in order to create progress for its cititzens as they do not have their fake elections every four years to be fooled around with. Look at what is happening in China ....this is not a Socialist State at all. Whoever writes that has visited with his head up that certain place. Entrepreneurship rules and despite nasty party apparatsjiks it does not make a difference, they are movin ahead creating the "Chinese dream" as the American equivalent has died some ten years ago.

Try also to differentiate between poverty and government policies. Want to know the difference? China is still today alleviating poverty on a massive scale whilst in the US more people are on food stamps than ever before. China started out with massive poverty and is now creating the middle class wealth the US created in the '50 and '60 and destroyed so effectively in the last couple of years.

You want to see development? Go to China. You want parents to see their Children do better than them? China. You want to see people that are proud of their country? China. You want to start a courtcase and get it done in a year? China. You want to see places very remote that have not yet caught up and have not properly linked in with Beijing yet? Yep that is also China so focus on these places because I am sure there is plenty of dirt you can dig up there and spread amongst your ignorant ill informed countrymen.

After having lived in Europe (20 years), The US (3 years), India (2 years)and China for the last 10 years I think I am in a better position to judge the developments here than the average Joe Sixpack who gets his information from Fox News or some other Cable garbage bin labelled "balanced or fair". I feel sorry for the Chinese that in the end you have western politicians coming to China to insult their hosts because Joe Sixpack needs to be courted for a re-election campaign.

You want your long hailed lopsided democratic systems? Try India. You want to see rampant corruption to the extend no infrastructure is build? Go to India. You want to see a common law system with a backlog of 25 million cases? Go to India

The Chinese will decide their development and the pace in which they want change. Save me from the day that suddenly anarchy rules this country. Happened a few times before in history. Oh you did not know? Religious sect that killed 80 million Chinese under their living leader claiming to be the Master or God. Read you history books if it is in there. So my blessing they have in restricting Falung Gong. Since when are groupies like Richard Gere anywhere educated to even understand the situation in Tibet? Nope. Any idea what would happen with the region if you destabilize between India, China Pakistan and then toss Tibet in?

Well I guess the last one is indeed easy to imagine. You guys see it on TV everynight when the next IED killed some of you soldiers in a country that was stable before.

Solamente decir que las fotos son impresionantes.

wow what a nice ending of the beijing olypics ,very empresive and genorous. I LOVE IT ....... ........WOW US IN TO THE HIEGST LEVEL........GOD BLESS ALL... " CONGRATS"

I just came back from the Olympics. I can't even begin to explain what it was like. the people, the history, the country. They are very proud of what they have accomplished, as well they should be. Depressing!!!!!!!Get a life. I kept thinking, if this was at home, someone would be waving a protest sign and trying to sue someone. We could all learn something from China, and we better do it quick.

u need more pictures.....

So, So Beautifull!!!

In portuguese: LINDO!!!!

Thanks!

To those complaining about the money China spent for the games:
China spent billions on improving Beijing's infrastructure for the Olympics; the USA wasted billions on an immoral war in Iraq that destroyed that country. Which one is more wasteful and sickening?

It appears Australia did some faking also, but I doubt it will create much of an uproar. If China does the same, it's a crime.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080828/ennew_afp/oly2008australiaorchestrafake

great pics where did you get them from

great pics wThe fourth picture is amazing
Those are incredible pictures.

While,Americans think they are something

Having just returned from The Olympics/Beijing Olympics. I found the Buildings to be very interesting. The people couldn't have been more friendly. It is an interesting contrast in the old and the new. I was also fasinated driving on a nice fairly new expressway that was empty. As in almost no cars. This was outside Beijing on the road to the coast.
Overall it was a very interesting and enjoyable trip.

it was great.i just loved it..being in beijing was one of an unforgettable event

Amazing China & beautiful Beijing with clean atmosphere made the event memorable & unforgettable.

Hello! Recently has read in news that re-testing
of Large Hadron Collider will be conducted :(
Me it is terrible :(

Where can I find good info on stadiums?!