Spectacular Opening Ceremony of Asian Games 2010 in China

The largest-ever Asian Games got under way on Friday night with a spectacular opening ceremony. Directed by Chen Weiya, who was the assistant director of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the ceremony was held outside the main stadium for the first time in Asian Games history, in the Pearl River on the Haixinsha Island.
A record number of about 10,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions will participate in 476 gold medal events in 42 sports, compared to 26 sports at the London Olympics in 2012. Cricket, dance sport, roller sports and chess, including weiqi and xiangqi, are newly added sports at the Asian Games, which will also feature those unique to the continent such as dragon boat, kabaddi and sepaktakraw.

Dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 at Haixinsha Square on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)


The sun sets behind Haixinsha Stadium shortly before the start of the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (TORSTEN BLACKWOOD/AFP/Getty Images)

Fireworks explode at the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images)

Boats sail up the Pearl River during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (MIKE CLARKE/AFP/Getty Images)

Athletes wave their flags during the Opening Ceremony for the Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Feng Li/Getty Images)

Illuminated performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Mick Tsikas)

Dancers in traditional Chinese dress perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Performers are suspended in the air during the opening ceremony for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China on Friday, Nov. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Performers dance on a submerged stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria (CHINA)

Artists perform aboard a ship in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (LIU JIN/AFP/Getty Images)

Chinese soldiers carry their national flag to the flag raising ceremony during the opening of the 16th Asian Games on Nov. 12, 2010. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

A performer drums during the Opening Ceremony at Haixinsha Square on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Illuminated dancers perform in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/Getty Images)

Dancers perform suspended in front of a big screen during the Opening Ceremony of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Performers hold lanterns in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Drummers perform on the stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

A boy performs, suspended above the stage, during the Opening Ceremony of the 16th Asian Games Guangzhou 2010 on November 12, 2010. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Dancers in native costume perform during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images)

Dancers perform suspended before a big screen during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games. (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Swimming performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Spinning performers take part in the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Gameson November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Mick Tsikas)

Drummers raise their arms during the Opening Ceremony at Haixinsha Square on November 12, 2010 in Guangzhou, China. (Hannah Johnston/Getty Images)

A dancer performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)

The flag-bearer of Afghanistan leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Spectators hold up lanterns as they wait for the start of the opening ceremony for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, China,

The fire for the 16th Asian Games is lit during the opening ceremony on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Donald Chan)

The flag bearer for China leads the delegation during the opening ceremony in Guangzhou,China on November 12, 2010. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)

Performers dance ona submerged stage during the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 12, 2010. (PHILIPPE LOPEZ/AFP/Getty Images)
Photo: Boston Globe