Resurgent China readies epic show to welcome world

By Crispian Balmer

BEIJING (Reuters) - China throws open its doors to the world on Friday, promising an epic spectacular to welcome athletes from a record 205 countries to the Beijing Olympics.

Opening ceremonies often reveal the soul of a nation and organisers hope their extravaganza will silence critics who say Communist China should never have been awarded the biggest sports event in history.

An array of state leaders, including U.S. President George W. Bush, will join 91,000 spectators in the colossal Bird's Nest stadium for the 3-½ hour show that marks the culmination of a decade of lobbying, construction and controversy.

"My heart is bursting with excitement about the Games," said Zhu Shengqiang, a 22-year-old student walking through the vast Tiananmen Square with his girlfriend.

"I want people to see what is special about China on Friday. We must do something a bit different from the other Olympics."

Organisers say 15,000 performers and 29,000 firework shells should get the Games off to a bang with renowned film director Zhang Yimou handed the Herculean task of condensing 5,000 years of Chinese history into one evening.

China wants the Olympics to underscore its newfound strength as the world's fourth largest economy and has spent a record $43 billion on preparations, sweeping thousands of people out of their homes to make way for state-of-the art stadiums.

The slogan "One World, One Dream" adorns the smog-filled streets of the booming metropolis and the Chinese are glowing with pride as their country takes centre stage after generations of isolation and poverty.