2010 Asian Games Opening Ceremony

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Clic 2010 Asian Games Opening Ceremony GUANGZHOU, China (AP) November 12, in Guangzhou, China, the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games took place, with lavish stagecraft, costumes, fireworks and performers welcoming participants – A spectacular 4-hour ceremony China promised another spectacular opening event and delivered it Friday in a festival of fireworks and Pearl River pageantry to mark the start of the Asian Games. Two years after the Beijing Olympics in the Chinese capital, the southern city of Guangzhou -- which for a long time served as China's window to the world -- opened the world's second-biggest multi-sports event with an aqua-themed ceremony. Athletes were ferried on 45 boats to an island venue shaped like the bow of a ship for an extravaganza of light, water and flames. Some 14,000 athletes from 45 countries and territories will compete in 42 sporting disciplines until November 27. Official web site : http://www.gz2010.cn/en The 16th Asian Games 2010, GuangzhouNovember 12-27, 2010Guangzhou, ChinaCo-Host Cities: Shanwei, Dongguan and Foshan.

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Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 at Haixinsha Square on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

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The sun sets behind Haixinsha Stadium shortly before the start of the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

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Fireworks explode at the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Some 10,000 athletes arrived on 45 floats - one for each country and territory - and alighted on the island for an athletes’ parade.

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Boats sail up the Pearl River during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images)

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Athletes wave their flags during the Opening Ceremony for the Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Feng Li/Getty Images)

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Illuminated performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Mick Tsikas)

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Dancers in traditional Chinese dress perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

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Performers are suspended in the air during the opening ceremony for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on Friday, Nov. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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aser 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. The opening ceremony paid tribute to coastal Guangdong province's seafaring heritage. The venue on Haixinsha island was configured like a sailboat for the opening festivities designed by Chen Weiya, who was Zhang Yimou's deputy when he crafted the Beijing ceremony. Picture: GETTY The promised "dream-like" spectacle combined 6,000 performers splashing across a flooded stage, flying men, gushing fountains, a ship roiled by waves and 40,000 fireworks. Picture: GETTY

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Performers dance on a submerged stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA)

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Artists perform aboard a ship in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images)

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The riverside ceremony drew on Guangzhou’s rich maritime history in a purpose-built arena located on a small island on the Pearl River

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Chinese soldiers carry their national flag to the flag raising ceremony during the opening of the 16th Asian Games on Nov. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

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Performers drum during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China on Nov. 12, 2010. The Asian Games run from November 12-27 and will involve some 14,000 athletes and officials from 45 countries. (Carlos Barria / Reuters )

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Performers participating during the Opening Ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on Haixinsha Island along the Pearl River in Guangzhou city, southern China's Guangdong province, Nov. 12, 2010. - (Wu Hong / EPA )

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Dancers peform during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12. - Nicolas Asfouri / AFP via Getty Images

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A performer drums during the Opening Ceremony at Haixinsha Square on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

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Illuminated dancers perform in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images)

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Dancers perform suspended in front of a big screen during the Opening Ceremony of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

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Performers hold lanterns in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

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Drummers perform on the stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

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A boy performs, suspended above the stage, during the Opening Ceremony of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

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The ceremony kicked off with a small boy floating down from the sky on a leaf-like carriage lit in green. He poured water from a bottle, setting off giant fountains which sprayed in arcs across the stage. Picture: AP When the final torch bearer, Olympic champion diver He Chong, approached the Guangzhou cauldron - which emerged from the stage supported by four giant arches - he lit a big firecracker with two children who then muffled their ears. The sparks that followed set the cauldron aflame. Picture: GETTY

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Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

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Dancers in native costume perform during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

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Dancers perform suspended before a big screen during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

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Swimming performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon actress Zhang Ziyi sang as synchronized swimmers danced and water spurted around them.

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Spinning performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Gameson November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Mick Tsikas)

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Drummers raise their arms during the Opening Ceremony at Haixinsha Square on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

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Some 6,000 performers from across the country took part in the "dream-like" three-hour extravaganza.

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The military band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) stand to attention before the raising of the Chinese national flag Picture: AFP/GETTY

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World-renowned pianist Lang Lang performs during the opening ceremony Picture: AFP/GETTY

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Fireworks illuminate the night during the opening ceremony for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, on Friday, Nov. 12. (Vincent Yu / AP )

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Performers flapping large pieces of red cloth scrambled across the stage.

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The spectacular show was designed by Chen Weiya, who was the deputy to director Zhang Yimou for the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing.

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A dancer performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

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The flag-bearer of Afghanistan leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

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Spectators hold up lanterns as they wait for the start of the opening ceremony for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, Friday, Nov. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

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The fire for the 16th Asian Games is lit during the opening ceremony on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Donald Chan)

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The flag bearer for China leads the delegation during the opening ceremony in Guangzhou,China on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

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Performers dance ona submerged stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

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After years of preparation, the 16th Asian Games have opened with a bang in Guangzhou, south China - with a spectacular firework display.

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The final torch bearer, Olympic diving champion He Chong, approached the cauldron and lit a huge firecracker, with the sparks setting the cauldron alight. Chinese Premier Wen Jiaobao declared the Games open.

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