Blue eyes, dark eyes, all eyes were on the splendid opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games Friday. The following are some of the comments made by chinadaily.com.cn readers on the China Daily forum (bbs.chinadaily.com.cn):

katana  (US)

Way to go China!!!  Awesome opening ceremony guys...  those drummers are amazing.  looking forward to some great sporting events over the next 2 weeks...all politics and differences aside, hopefully the world can come together for these few weeks and just sit back and cheer on these great athletes.

love you much,

an American girl. 

astrologer (US)

"Lighting the Cauldron" I'm really impressed

Well done on the timing, Lighting the Cauldron for the Moon, brings enthusiasm, faith, optimism and hope for the future. Hoag's object is the best i can do for now. 

taptap (Russia)

What a wonderful, precise and ingenious program! China, the opening ceremony was fantastic!!!

Russian people are sincerely happy for you! Enjoy the moment of your glorious triumph!

Veni, vidi, vici!  

Mike (HK)

Zhang Yimou you did it!

A stellar performance unmatched and without equal.

A showcase of China's culture in all her Splendour!

Like Heaven and Earth at One.

Truly one to remember for a long time to come.

KChoi (Canada)

Congregations! We are proud of you, the organizers, the government and the great people of China.

The performance was flawless, stunning and awesome! And we show the world what we can do as a united nation.

We have every good reason to believe that the Chinese athletes can achieve the best results during the next 2 weeks.

lu （Britain）

Was fantastic! I woke up early just to watch it. Well worth it! Wish I was actually there to experience the once in a lifetime atmosphere.

CK Chen （Sweden）

BRAVO BEIJING!!!!!!!! You did it with flying colours. Each and every single member who have been a part of the opening ceremony deserve much appreciation. The success of the evening must go down in history & will be remembered for a long long time. You make most of us Chinese around the world, proud of our past and present, even though there are many hurdles to be conquered. Go Beijing Go.

Joe G. （US）

Xie xie, thank you China for a wonderful opening ceremony, thank you to the people of China for your hospitality, and thank you to the people of the world who have sent your determined athletes to this competition. Let the games begin, and success to all!

Chinese Australian (Australia)

I feel so proud of being Chinese. It was a wonderful artistic display of the rich history and culture China has. It was such a breathtaking moment, a moment which reminded me of how Sydney opened its own Olympics back in 2000, the sense of pride was overwhelming, the anticipation and joy of the countdown was incredible. Congratulations China. It would be remembered in all the hearts of the billions of Chinese in China and around the world (like me =P ). It was brilliant, that piece of artwork is priceless!! I can't wait to see the Closing ceremony, I am sure it would be just as brilliant and fantastic. China Beijing 2008 Olympics is going down on a page in history, I don't think it can ever be replaced in the hearts you have touched. Thank you China for making all the chinese feel so proud of being part of this wonderful country... I pledge, I shall formally learn the Chinese National Anthem PROPERLY before the closing ceremony ^^. Jia You China!! It is seriously, One World, One Dream. (Words can't describe the feelings at the moment.... SO PROUD!!!!!!!!!)

Tara （Beijing）

Congratulations to the Chinese people on a spectacular opening to the 2008 Beijing Olympics! The opening ceremony was truly the best I have ever seen. You have given the West a reminder of the glory that China once was and can be again in the future. Kudos to Zhang Yimou for producing such a stunning program that appeals to both Chinese and foreigners alike.

longzhou (Tianjin)

Congratulations China!

The ceremony was a gift for the senses. We enjoyed every minute of it and got excited, I couldn't help to shed some tears of emotion as Li Ning "flew running" to light the torch. The moment was simply stunning!

25minutes （Guangdong）

Dear sisters and brothers...

It is great..the greatest opening ceremoney ever....Don't you think so? I've never seeen such great a show...the cultural appreciation...the Chinese civilisation...5000 years of history and civilization..

We have full reasons to feel proud....Great China..Mighty China,,,

Go go go