China Beijing Olympic Games

Google yesterday launched a new web browser called Chrome, claiming that it made its move in order to “add value for users and, at the same time, drive innovation on the web”, but few doubted that the company was aiming to challenge the dominant position of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer on desktops around the world.

Internet Explorer has over 70 percent of the browser market, Mozilla Firefox has around 20 percent and Apple’s Safari is the also ran of the big three with 6 percent. The rest of the competition is nowhere. Google clearly hopes that most users web experience, that at the moment mixes Microsoft’s Explorer and Google’s search engine, will become a more purely Google affair.

Chrome is so far only available for Windows and is a beta version, which means there still may be significant problems with the software. In a blog post announcing the release, product manager Sundar Pichai and chief engineer Linus Upson explained that they were following the company philosophy of “release early and iterate”; in effect saying the best way to detect the remaining problems was to throw it open to ordinary users. Work is in progress on Mac and Linux versions according to Pichai and Upson although they gave no release dates.

So what’s new in Chrome? There is an integrated address and search box which the company claims will simplify surfing. The browser is built around the tab technology made familiar by Firefox, but with additional security and robustness according to Google, since in the Chrome “browser architecture”, each tab is independent and a crash on one page will not bring the whole browser down.

The software engineering, the machinery behind the smooth surface of Chrome, has been innovatively presented in a cartoon, which, despite the cool pictures, will find too long and heavy-going, but will no doubt appeal to the tech freaks and geeks. The engineers behind Chrome have helped themselves liberally to open source software made available by the developers of Safari and Firefox, which may turn out to be something of a paradox if the browser wars take off, the more so since just last week Google extended a cooperation agreement with non-profit Mozilla to 2011.

The big questions puzzling industry analysts today are, why Google made this move, and how will it make money out of Chrome. A browser is after all simply a window to view content on the web and is pretty well transparent, that is to say invisible, to users. Some pundits speculated it was part of a broader effort by Google to reduce its dependence on advertising revenue generated by its search engine, but where the new revenue streams will come from exactly so far remains obscure. Another motive may be purely defensive, a response to a planned Internet Explorer release that will make it easier for users to block advertisements routed by, for example, Google.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is unlikely to take things lying down. One of the first things many users will do is to try to load up their Hotmail account using Chrome. When we tried Hotmail, it displayed the following message: “We recommend that you upgrade your web browser so you can get the most out of Windows Live Hotmail. Upgrading should only take a few minutes. To get started, choose one of the browsers below: Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, or Apple Safari.”

The visiting Chinese gold medalists displayed their superb sports skills again in Hong Kong on Saturday morning, whose performance impressed over 5,000 Hong Kong spectators face to face as well as tens of thousands of viewers through TV live broadcasts.

China’s gold medal winners Cheng Fei(R) and Yang Yilin perform during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills. [Xinhua]

The enthusiasm for the Olympic Games was rekindled in Hong Kong as Chinese mainland’s Olympic gold medalists on Saturday made their appearances and met the public. As part of their visit to Hong Kong, the delegation of Chinese mainland’s Olympic gold medalists put on demonstrations of table tennis, badminton, diving and gymnastics.

More than 5,000 people watched their performance at the four venues of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of Hong Kong government, while tens of thousands of viewers watched the TV live broadcasts at home or elsewhere.

The gold medalists also had exchanges with young Hong Kong athletes. Some of the participants, selected by drawing lots, took part in the sports-for-fun sessions with the medalists in table tennis, badminton and gymnastics.

China’s gold medal winner Yang Wei(L) performs during a demonstration in Hong Kong, August 30, 2008. Chinese gold medallists are visiting Hong Kong for three days to demonstrate their skills. [Xinhua]

China’s Olympic gold medalists arrived in Hong Kong on Friday, kicking off their three-day visit to the city.

“I hope the Hong Kong public can use this opportunity to share the joy and pride of their country,” Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s Chief Executive Donald Tsang said.

The delegation, including 63 gold medalists from the Beijing Olympic Games, took part in the flag-raising ceremony at the Golden Bauhinia Square on Saturday morning.

After the sports demonstration, the delegation met the public at a Gala Show at the Hong Kong Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The delegation will leave for Macao on Sunday afternoon after visiting Disneyland and the Ocean Park, two of Hong Kong’s famous theme parks

Ten days after his shock withdrawal from the Olympic 110-meters hurdles, Liu Xiang has re-appeared in public for the first time.

On Tuesday afternoon, the hurdler, wearing the official uniform of the Chinese Olympic Athletics team, and still hobbling from the foot injury that forced him to pull out of the Games, was pictured in Beijing’s Great Hall of the People, where a post-Games meeting of the Chinese Olympic Team was being held, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.

Liu Xiang at a banquet following a meeting of the Chinese Athletics Team in the Great Hall of the People. [Liao Wenjing/CNS]

The report said that Liu avoided reporters and mingled with the other athletes.

When a television journalist approached Liu Xiang with a video camera, Liu didn’t acknowledge the lens pointed at him, but continued signing autographs for fans and chatting with his fellow athletes. A staff member told the cameraman to “please go and film the gold medalists, and other medal winners; thank you for your cooperation.”

Liu Xiang sat next to his coach Sun Haiping at the post-meeting banquet. He seemed thoughtful and taciturn, very far from the extrovert character the public has seen in previous news coverage.

But the easy smile, not seen by Chinese people for a long time, shone again on Liu Xiang’s face when his fellow Shanghai native, Wu Minxia, Olympic champion in 3m synchronized diving, asked him to pose for a photo with her. Facing the cameras, Liu Xiang spread his arms like a giant bird in flight.

Volunteers preparing for the Paralympic Games Closing Ceremony at the Bird’s Nest. (Photo credit: Li Ziheng/Xinhua)

Performance-Write the Postcard

Synopsis: With cartoon postmen as the creative theme, a passionate and humorous performance draws in the audience, creating a natural, warm, harmonious and wonderful atmosphere for the Closing Ceremony.

Composer: Chen Chunguang, Xu Lei, Chen Jun, Su Yongliang

1. With the cartoon postman as the main image, special postcards are presented to the audience in peculiar ways. The audience members write down their wishes on the postcards, which will be sent to places around the world.

2. A short video is played on the large screen in the stadium, showing the moving scene of citizens from various circles and friends from various countries writing down their wishes on postcards on the streets in Beijing over the past year.

Postmen walk in. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Entrance of the Flags of All Delegations

Synopsis: Entrance of the flags of all delegations of these Paralympic Games.

1. The flag holders of all delegations are divided into two groups. Led by the guides, they enter from Gate 1 and Gate 4, walk along the track, and meet on the south track. They get into their positions one after another. After the guides meet on the south track, they keep walking to surround the east and west side of the lawn.

2. Chinese flag holders quickly enter the field from Gate 3 and wait to receive flags under the flagpole in the south.

Flags of different delegations enter the field. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Entrance of the Athletes of All Delegations

Synopsis: Athletes of all delegations enter from four gates at the same time without differentiation of nationality.

1) The athletes is all delegations enter form Gate1, Gate 2, Gate 3 and Gate 4 successively and sit down at the designated positions (wheelchair area on the track and non-wheelchair area on the firat tier of the stand.)

2) Chinese flag holders enter the flag holder formation in the south of the field and receive flags from the flag holders of various countries. Then the flag holders of various countries sit down in the wheelchair area in the south of the field and on the first tier of the stand.

Entrance of the President of China and the President of the IPC

Synopsis: Entrance of Hu Jintao, the President of China, and Sir Philip Craven, the President of the IPC.

Music: Welcome Music

Entrance of the President of China and the President of the IPC

1. The Military Band of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army plays welcome music.

2. Entrance of the President of China and the President of the IPC.

Countdown

Synopsis: A short video is played before the countdown.

When the countdown begins, fireworks are launched from the Bird’s Nest in nine directions. As the tenth firework rises into the sky, a dazzling welcome fireworks display burst above the Bird’s Nest.

Fireworks are displayed in the sky. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Raising the National Flag of China and Playing the National Anthem of PRC

Synopsis: Raising the National Flag of PRC and playing the National Anthem of China.

1. The military band plays the National Anthem of China, and the Guard of Honor raises the National Flag of China.

2. National flag fireworks.

Whang Youn Dai Overcome Prize Ceremony

Synopsis: Whang Youn Dai Overcome Prize Ceremony is held.

Background notes

Whang Youn Dai Overcome Prize is awarded to a male athlete and a female athlete who can best represent the spirit of the Paralympic Games.

New Members of the Athletes’ Commission Present Flowers to Representatives of Volunteers

Synopsis: The six new members of the Athlete’s Commission present flowers to the 12 representatives of volunteers.

According to the Olympic Games official source, this morning, Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee through the Sichuan agency in Beijing, to the Sichuan earthquake disaster area donation Renminbi 5,000,000 Yuan, after helps the disaster area carries on the rescue and the disaster, the reconstruction.after the disaster situation occurs, Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee takes the earthquake relief work the current most important political task, the request develops” one place is in difficulty, eight side supports” the spirit, the millions of people are all of one mind, the unity is strength, to soon capture the earthquake relief work the victory contribution strength. Must the Olympic Games ceremonial fire transmission and the earthquake relief work organic synthesis, by the spirit of patriotism drove that the whole nation complete the earthquake relief work whole-heartedly. it is known that after 5 · 12 especially big earthquakes occurs, Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee has established the poor box in the Olympic Games building, the staffs in abundance to the disaster area donation. Up to yesterday, Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee staff to the disaster area donation Renminbi 640,000 Yuan, entrusted Beijing Red Cross to contribute give the stricken serious area.

I talk about a letter from former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch

My name is Li Yulin. I am 79 years old. My passion for dart ball started 62 years ago, when I joined the army as a new recruit. This sport was originally invented for soldiers training in grenade projectile. But as an exercise that is both interesting and beneficial to one’s health, it has gradually developed into a popular form of sport that is loved and practiced by many.

The forthcoming Olympic Games have undoubtedly facilitated my efforts to promote dart ball. My efforts have even been recognized by Mr. Juan Antonio Samaranch, the former president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This has meant a lot to me.

The origin of dart ball

I invented dart ball as a new soldier in 1946. I came up with the idea for dart ball to help my fellow solders in the training of grenade projectile. This activity adopted a round shooting target with a hole in the center. This training method proved quite effective in helping soldiers improve both the range and accuracy of their grenade projectile.

I talk about the origin of the dart ball

Later, this activity grew into a popular exercise among solders and earned the name of “dart ball.”

Promotion of dart ball

I have long dreamed of bringing dart ball into everyday life for the public, as it is such a great form of exercise.

After retirement, I finally had time to modify the design of the dart ball game. My efforts turned out to be fruitful. I managed to invent a dart ball sports facility that functions to boost eyes, hand, finger and joint coordination.

My invention was awarded a national patent certificate in 1998. Two years later, the facility obtained approval for business operation from the General Administration of Sports of China, as a method to help promoted the nationwide fitness campaign.

Positive Feedback from Samaranch

The success of China’s bid for the Olympic Games gave me a great opportunity to popularize dart ball.

Once, I wrote a letter to Mr. Samaranch, then IOC president, in which I mentioned my intention of introducing dart ball to more people. Several months later I received a reply. In his letter, Mr. Samaranch praised me and encouraged me to pursue my dream. He also enclosed his photo, along with an autographed envelope bearing the five-ring Olympic logo, four small Olympic badges and a sports outfit. I was greatly encouraged by the letter and gifts from Mr. Samaranch.

Now nearly 80, I am not as fit and vigorous as I used to be, but I always try to participate in activities to promote dart ball. Nowadays, more and more people can be seen practicing dart ball in our community gym or on the school playground. I feel fully rewarded.

To see more people enjoying dart ball is the biggest dream that I shall pursue for the rest of my life.

I pose for a picture with Pakistanian athletes

My name is Qi Xiaotong. I am currently in fourth grade at Chuangshengyuan Primary School in Changping District. I am only nine-years-old. Every weekend, I go to famous tourist attractions in Beijing, such as the Badaling section of the Great Wall and the Thirteen Tombs of the Ming Dynasty, where I speak with overseas guests about the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and help them overcome whatever difficulties they might encounter. My weekends are unlike those of my fellow classmates — I convey the friendliness, optimistic attitude and confidence of Chinese children to foreign guests. I feel that this is a worthwhile thing to do.

Last year I was elected as a “Young Olympic Ambassador.” Soon after that I learned that the fifth World Powered Parachute Championships would be held near the Thirteen Tomb Reservoir. I realized this was a precious opportunity I couldn’t let slip away. So I asked my parents to take me to the powered parachute venue, hoping to find a chance to talk to top athletes about Beijing, my beloved hometown. Just as I expected, a large number of athletes showed great interest when they heard me speak in English about some of Beijing’s major tourist attractions. Some even took my picture. A silver-medalist named James even asked me to go on a ride with him in his powered parachute. This was really an unforgettable experience. I was nervous and excited when we rose into the sky, but I did not forget my role as an Olympic ambassador — I continued to tell James about the Beijing sights below.

Last National Day, I went to Juyongguan with my father. During my visit there, I heard faint crying in the distance and followed the sound to an old Swedish woman lying on the ground and looking quite pale. There were two women standing by her not knowing what to do. I approached them and asked in English: “What’s wrong with her?” One of the women, perhaps her daughter, replied, “She’s had a heart attack.” Without delay, I asked my father to dial 120 for first-aid service. I held the grandma’s hands and comforted her in English until the ambulance arrived. After checking her condition and blood pressure, the doctor concluded that her situation was critical and she needed to be hospitalized. The doctor looked at me and my father and asked, “If possible, can this young translator come with us?” Without waiting for my father’s response, and without hesitation, I jumped into the ambulance and accompanied the grandma to the hospital until the entire treatment process was complete.

Tests started at four in the afternoon and didn’t end until eight in the evening. I was hungry, but I stayed with the doctors, translating the information so that the Grandma and her daughters could understand. To everybody’s relief, the grandma was fine. She offered me 200 US dollars as a gesture of gratitude, but I said that I would not take the money. I told her I am a Young Olympic Ambassador and also an Olympic volunteer. Helping people is what I’m supposed to do, so I can’t accept payment for it. Shaking my hand, the grandma said to my father, “Your daughter has drive. She will definitely be successful in the future. I want to watch her grow up. Each day I will say a prayer for her. If she ever has a chance to come to Sweden, I will take care of her.”

I pose for a picture with children from Pakistan

The weekends I’ve spent at tourist attractions spreading Olympic spirit have not only been about assisting people through language. I’ve also made a lot of friends from around the world. My classmates and I may be young, but we are willing to offer our efforts to the cause of the Olympic Games.

Nie Shuai works on Fuwa paper-cuttingIMy name is Nie Ying. Nie Shuai is my younger brother. He was born in Zou, Shandong Province. As a child, he suffered from congenital muscular dystrophy, which paralyzed him by the age of 10, which is also when he dropped out of school and stayed at home. By the age of 15, he lost sensory perception of his middle and lower limbs. It was also in this year that he began learning the art of paper-cutting. Three years later, he started creating Fuwa-shaped paper-cuts. After three months of painstaking effort, a series of these Fuwa-inspired designs was born. On March 25 of this year, my brother passed away, leaving his sole wish forever behind — presenting his works of art to BOCOG.

My brother, Nie Shuai, left this world shortly after his 19th birthday. As a teenager with a severe disability, he was barely able to eat sunflower seeds with his hands, but it took him merely three months to finish 39 pieces of Fuwa paper-cuts. Giving his creations to the Beijing Olympic Games became his last dream.

My brother was very lovable when he was a young boy. “Shuaishuai” is the intimate nickname my family called him. But he was inflicted by congenital muscular dystrophy. When he began formal schooling at the age of seven, my mother had to carry him there on her back.. At ten, Nie Shuai had to quit school because of paralysis. Worse yet, he lost sensory perception of the limbs below his chest, except for his wrist and fingers. My family invested much money to cure his illness, and so was deep in debt. Besides, I was studying at a college in Jinan, the capital of Shandong Province. To deal with the financial difficulty, my parents had no choice but to go out to make money. So my brother was left alone at home. Our mother, afraid that he would be too lonely by himself, found some colored paper for him to play with. By and by, he developed a keen interest in paper-cutting. The small animals he cut were very lifelike.

Paper-cutting brought vigor to his life and linked him to the Beijing Olympic Games.

Fuwa paper-cutting made by Nie Shuai

On Shuaishuai’s 18th birthday, January 25 (based on the lunar calendar), I downloaded a set of Fuwa pictures and gave them to him as birthday present, for I knew he was yearning for the Beijing Olympic Games.

The Fuwa captured his attention at once. After playing with them in his hands for a while, he suddenly asked, “Sister, how about turning them into paper-cuts?”

The next day, he began with a simple picture of”Fuwa playing baseball.” Paper-cutting, relatively simple for normal people, is exceptionally hard for a person with a disability, like him. Because he could not move his arm, he asked our mother to place a small board pressed between the wheelchair to support his arm, and a small table in front to prop up his wrist.

In this way, Shuaishuai cut his designs, bit by bit. For a simple paper-cut like “Fuwa playing baseball,” an able-bodied person could finish it in a few minutes, whereas it took him two days. When he came to the sixth pattern, he asked, “Sister, can I finish it? Or should I give up?” At this, tears welled up in my eyes.

“The opening ceremony is a long time away. Don’t worry. You’ll make it,” I encouraged him.

“In winter, the temperature in our apartment was only three to four degrees Celsius, for the heating system does not function well. Shuaishuai’s hands were frozen stiff, but he kept cutting, never letting out a groan. Sometimes the pain hurt him so much that his numb hands couldn’t hold the scissors. Pair after pair of scissors fell off from his hands and broke upon impact with the floor; by the time winter passed, over ten pairs of scissors were broken. At the sight of this, both Mom and I didn’t disturb him, even though tears were streaming down our faces. Because Fuwa paper-cutting was his dream, the only thing we could do was to place a hot water bag under his arm to relieve his pain.

“Shuaishuai designed a special tool to make his paper-cuts despite his limp hands. He asked mom to bisect a blade, a section of which was fastened onto a chopstick. Then he held the chopstick in his mouth to cut the pattern. Some kinds of paper were hard to prick. Mom brought him some plastic foam, which he put under the paper so that it was easier for him to cut the paper apart.

A good three months passed by the time he completed his last paper-cut.

At that time, ticket reservation for the Games had begun. My brother found the application form on the internet, but he switched off the computer all of a sudden. It puzzled me. “Why not reserve a ticket?” I asked.

“No. Even if I reserve one, I cannot go,” he answered. “But can I send my paper-cuts to the Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games?” he added, with his eyes on his paper-cuts. “Of course you can,” I assured him.

He wanted to have his works mounted before sending them to Beijing, so I wheeled him to the best painting mounting shop I knew of. However, the owner told us that they were too fine to mount, so we had to seal them in a photo studio. But, this cost a lot of money. “What if we sold my paper-cuts on the street?” Shuaishuai suggested.

During that summer holiday, we set up a stall and sold his paper-cuts in a square nearby. We earned some money each day, and since we sold over 100 paper-cuts, we saved up enough money to seal his Fuwa paper-cuts.

On the evening of March 25, Shuaishuai, suffering from a cold then, didn’t feel well. We brought him to the best hospital in the city. There were so many patients there that we couldn’t find a doctor to see my brother. My brother abruptly told Mom, “I’m a little tired.” Mom held him and tried to rest him against the back of the wheelchair. Suddenly, his head dropped. “Shuaishuai! Shuaishuai…!” yelled my mother.

Silence.

My brother never opened his eyes again. Sending his Fuwa paper-cuts to Beijing was his unfulfilled wish.

For months, numerous internet friends were very concerned about Shuaishuai and his paper-cuts. My parents also wanted to realize his wish. It just so happened that an internet friend in Beijing offered to help us contact BOCOG. Soon after the May Day holiday, Mom and I will go to Beijing with my brother’s paper-cuts in the hope that we can materialize his wish. I think he would wish us good luck and the Beijing Olympic Games a complete success.

Lv Qingshui: honorary visitor of the official website of the Beijing Olympic Games

I have to thank my mother when speaking about my thoughts about the Olympics. I was born in Jiangsu Province, in a mountain village near the city of Xuzhou. At that time, we in the village only used the lunar calendar to assign dates, so according to this, I was born on July 13. Coincidentally, this is also the date that China was granted the honor of hosting the 2008 Games. Years later, I found out that my birthday, according to the solar calendar, is August 8, the day of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games.

I’ve had an interest in athletics since I was very young, and have been working in the physical exercise arena for thirteen years. The gymnasium that my friends and I operate has over 1,500 members, who are aware of my passion for the Olympics.

Olympic works of art

From an early age, I liked sports and drawing, so I studied advertising in college. In July of 2002, I saw BOCOG’s announcement placed in a newspaper soliciting worldwide submissions for Olympic insignias. That same day, I sent in my submission, something I had been thinking about for a year. Even though in the end, it wasn’t selected, it represents the love I have for the Olympics.

Lv poses in front of the “Bird’s Nest,” fulfilling one of his dreams

From then on, from blueprints of the “Bird’s Nest” to the torch relay with the “lucky clouds” torch, I paid very close attention to every aspect of the Beijing Games. I watched the program on the Olympics shown on CCTV every week, and even went to look at Olympic-themed exhibitions. I applied to be an Olympic volunteer and a torchbearer, and even though I wasn’t selected for either position, it was still very fulfilling for me to take part in Olympic activities. I had Olympic fever.

In January of last year, I applied to take part in an exhibition displaying Olympic collectables and symbols. Two of my works were selected for final judging in Lausanne, Switzerland. Although in the end, my submission only received second place, along with the other participants, I was able to meet then International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranc in June. I wasn’t able to speak to him at the time, but I still felt quite excited and proud of my opportunity.

Folding fans

As the Olympics get closer, I am more and more excited about the Games. In July 2007, I took second place in a competition seeking a logo for the Olympic cheerleading squad, co-sponsored by the official website of the Beijing Olympic Games and Sohu.com. I also was awarded the title of “honorary visitor of the official website” for 2008.

At the end of 2007, I was on a television show where I showcased my special Olympic “folding fan.” The words “Beijing Welcomes You” decorate the front of the fan in fifty-five languages, while the backside of the fan is printed with the 203 logos or signs representing the different countries and regions from which athletes hail who will be participating in the 2008 Games. In order to ensure that the translations of the slogan were accurate, I hired special translation companies and spoke to language schools to receive advice. During the Olympics, my friends and I plan on giving out these folding fans to our friends from abroad that have come to Beijing to take part in the Olympics. I believe they’ll really enjoy them.

Lv poses with a creation he made to commemorate the Olympics

I even took part in the hiking activity around Beijing’s fifth ring road to show my support for the Olympic Games. Although it is true that I have taken part in a large number of Olympic activities, my participation is nowhere near representative of my love for the Olympics. I am speaking as a boy who came from a village, with numerous hopes and dreams. I want to fully appreciate this rare opportunity and honor that the Olympics has provided and will continue to provide by doing anything I can and putting forth every effort to support my country, bring pride to my hometown, and play my role as an obedient son.

A picture of my model dragon and I

My name is Yao Zhipeng. I am twenty-four years old and I graduated from the Central Institute of Fine Arts this year. From the time Beijing won its bid to host the Olympic Games seven years ago, when China fulfilled its “hundred years of dreaming,” I had a dream: I wanted to contribute to the Games. I want the Olympics to show China’s ability to host a grand event.

With the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games approaching, my wish was fulfilled this year during the Spring Festival: I designed a 5.6 meter long model dragon by myself and then created it with the efforts of my entire family. Making the dragon has allowed me to profoundly connect with my Olympic destiny. I plan to continue using this craft of traditional Chinese model making to spread Olympic spirit and Chinese culture.

Creative inspiration originated from a dream

In my hometown, Yuncheng, Shanxi, it’s a tradition in the family to steam buns during Chinese New Year or other festivals. When I was home for Spring Festival this year, I saw my mother preparing the buns and, in a dream, I saw an image of a great dragon dancing in the sky. It inspired me with the idea that my whole family could construct a model dragon out of dough to celebrate the Games. My family immediately supported the idea and we used the holiday to gather materials of all colors, using the very best flour we had to make the dough.

Children from my neighborhood are in awe of my dragon

The whole family constructs the dragon

Because of my major in advertising and design, I was of course given the responsibility of designing the dragon; my very practical mother, Li Yindi, was in charge of construction; my very skilled father, Ya Zengqing, came up with methods of construction; my sister, Yao Zhiri, was responsible for logistics. My mother had never made a Fuwa before, so I showed her its color, shape and size. As soon as my mother can see something, she can make it and soon after she saw the design, a Fuwa was born. My father made the “Bird’s Nest” out of cut up cigarette cases and tinfoil – his elaborate construction process made the final product seem like it was made of metal.

Overcoming difficulties to make the model dragon

Creating the dragon was difficult. A few days after steaming the body of the dragon, it began to fall apart and get moldy. And the Fuwa, Bird’s Nest, flowers and grass would break as soon as they were touched. My father did some research online and finally discovered that adding glutinous rice flour, salt, glycerin and other ingredients to the dough would solve our problems. After many trials, we had product that would last for a long time.

How do you steam a 5.6 meter long dragon? This was a difficult question to answer. After a few trials, we decided to steam the dragon in segments. By joining the segments together according to our design, the body of the dragon was just the way we wanted it.

We carefully inserted flowers and grasses into the dragon’s body, as well as stickers, fishes and insects. Then we inserted the Fuwa, the Bird’s Nest and models of athletes. And finally we added the words “Welcome Olympics!” and “Beijing Welcomes You” to the dragon’s bottom and sides. We put 29 clouds around the finished creation so that the dragon could soar through the sky!

On February 2, the dragon raised its head and was born. In total we spent one month making it and used 50 kilograms of flour, five kilograms of glutinous rice flour, 350 bamboo stickers and a lot of salt and food coloring, among other materials.

I will make many more of these Olympic models

It wasn’t convenient for us to bring the dragon from our hometown, so several days ago, our family made the same dragon again in Beijing. I hope that the dragon, which is meant to welcome the Olympic Games, will be seen in high schools and other locations and represent people’s eagerness to welcome the Games. I already have designs for many more models, such as one for the Olympic Torch Relay, one depicting a dove holding an olive branch in its mouth, one showing a basketball player making a shot and another of a table tennis match.

My inspiration is to bring the Olympic Games and this traditional Chinese craft together.

A general view of the dragon