16th Asian Games opening ceremony

The 16th Asian Games officially opened on Friday in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou with a "breakthrough" ceremony that organisers hope will linger long in the memory.


Central to the water theme of the ceremony was a flotilla of 45 boats - representing each competing team - that sailed up the river before anchoring off Haixinsha island, where a packed grandstand eagerly awaited


On a warm, clear night, the 610-metre (2,000-foot) Guangzhou Tower unleashed a volley of red fireworks before a People's Liberation Army brass band played a rousing rendition of the Chinese national anthem to kick off the spectacular.


On a warm, clear night, the 610-metre (2,000-foot) Guangzhou Tower unleashed a volley of red fireworks before a People's Liberation Army brass band played a rousing rendition of the Chinese national anthem to kick off the spectacular.


The scale of the preparations for the ceremony drew parallels with the Beijing Olympics opener in 2008, which was highly acclaimed, but Guangzhou officials had been eager to set the two apart.


Fireworks are launched from the Canton Tower over the Pearl River at the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


The delegation of India arrives during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


A flag bearer leads the Bahrain delegation during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


A flag bearer leads the Afghanistan delegation during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Artists perform with a boat on stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Artists make a flower pattern during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.



Performers carry lanterns on stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzho


Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Performers dance on stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.

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Artists perform during the opening ceremony for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


A young artist performs during the glitzy ceremony in Guangzhou.\


Artists combined dance with martial arts at the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Synchronized Swimmers perform during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Chinese world-renowned pianist Lang Lang performs during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


Fireworks are launched from the Canton Tower over the Pearl River at the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou.


The People's Liberation Army band plays during the opening ceremony. Athletes from 45 countries and territories will compete in 42 sporting disciplines until November 27.
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