Overjoyed Chinese cheered and applauded in front of their TVs at home, beneath big screens in bustling city squares or in remote villages on Friday night, sharing the passion and glory of the long-anticipated Olympic Games as they opened in Beijing.

The glittering opening ceremony, inside the new National Stadium in the capital, was witnessed by more than 100,000 in the stands and by billions in China and around the world as it was broadcast by CCTV.

Many people interviewed by Xinhua said they felt honored and proud that their country was finally hosting the biggest sports event in the world.

Thousands of local residents gathered beneath a giant screen at Shangxiajiu Square in Guangzhou, in southern China, to watch the opening ceremony. Many wore T-shirts saying "I Love China" and "Go, China" and many of their faces were painted with Olympic symbols.

At one dormitory, more than 100 migrant workers in Guangzhou gathered to watch the event on TV.

"Usually I don't watch sports too much on TV, but I couldn't miss it this time. Our country is getting stronger every day. I think all of us should be proud," said 22-year-old Zhou Xiaobing.

Proud father Huang Zhengyu waited anxiously for the Chinese delegation's procession at his home in Taizhou, Zhejiang Province. His son, Huang Haiqiang, is among the 639-strong Chinese team.

His 20-year-old son will take part in the high jump during the 16-day Games.

Huang said his wife and he decided not to go to Beijing because "we fear that our presence might cause stress for our son. So we decided to just stay home and watch TV with our relatives."

"It is the greatest honor for an athlete to participate in the Olympic Games. I am so proud of my son," Huang said.

The father said he was worried about an injury to his son's foot, which the young man said had healed.

"I hope he can score a medal for China," Huang said.

In Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Memet Ismail's family began preparing supper an hour earlier than usual so they could watch the ceremony uninterrupted.

"I'm very happy to see so many friends from all over the world come to our country! The Olympics are a seed that grows friendship and peace," he said, while watching the performance with his wife and daughter.

"As a Chinese, I feel very proud," he said.

Many foreigners living in China also joined in the joy.

Hooleys Bar, near the North Tianhe Road, Guangzhou, was full of applause and shouting.

Ajoy Sahu, a designer from London, said being in a bar with so many others made him feel more "Olympicsy".

"I have been going back and forth between London and Guangzhou during the past few years. I feel like I am already a part of China," he said.

"The Beijing Olympics is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for me. I just want to watch the opening ceremony with the Chinese people," he said.

Tim Dyer, an American who has lived in east China's metropolis of Shanghai for three years, said the ceremony displayed the astonishing beauty of traditional Chinese culture

"I was deeply touched when seeing the dancers," he said, in a bar in Xintiandi, a popular shopping and entertainment area in Shanghai.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)