Performers dance around a globe with images of Olympic athletes during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. The three-hour show at Beijing's iconic "Bird's Nest" national stadium is set to see more than 15,000 performers showcase the nation's ancient history and its development.[Agencies]

Live TV broadcasts

In France, French TV channel France 2 televised live the opening ceremony with explanations of performances depicting China's history.

In South Korea, KBS, MBC and SBS TV stations also showed the opening ceremony live.

KBS invited a Chinese student in South Korea as a guest to explain to viewers performances at the opening ceremony, while MBC sent Chinese-speaking reporters to Beijing to cover the event.

In Thailand, TV commentators of the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) lauded the opening ceremony, calling it "the most spectacular Olympics opening ever".

"Beautiful indeed," Thai TV anchors repeatedly said when seeing a central stage designed in the form of an ancient Chinese scroll with artists "dancing out" traditional Chinese paintings.

Canadians celebrate

About 5,000 people gathered outside a movie theater in Toronto early on Friday morning, hoping to watch the spectacular opening ceremony on the big screen in high-definition.

Although the show was not due to start until 8 am local time, many people, young and old, arrived at the Richmond Hill Center for the Performing Arts well before sunrise.

A year ago, the theater decided to show for free the opening ceremony because of the demand.

"When I arrived at 5:30 am, there were about 700 people here," Michael Grit, one of the organizers, said.

"The theater can only accommodate 3,700 people, so we had to turn about 1,000 people away," Grit said.

The audience was amazed at the dazzling performances, which they though not only demonstrated China's great ancient culture, but also its progress in modern science and technology.

"It was amazing - I liked it and I'm proud of it," said one young woman of Chinese origin.

In Vancouver, the event was televised at 5 am, but that did not deter viewers.

To celebrate the historical occasion, several government officials and Chinese embassy staff gathered at the City Hall in Ottawa to raise the Olympic flag.

"Beijing and Ottawa are sister cities, the flag-hoisting ceremony was meant not only to mark the opening of the Games, but also to express our best wishes for the friendship between the two cities," Ottawa mayor Larry O'Brien said.

Federal Environment Minister John Baird said: "The opening ceremony was stunningly spectacular. It's not something you see every day. It was an exciting occasion for Chinese and Canadians."

In Montreal's China town, hundreds gathered before a big screen to enjoy the show.

The Chinese communities in Vancouver and Ottawa have planned parties and parades in the coming days to celebrate their home country for hosting the Olympics for the first time.