Beijing, China: March 31, 2008 – The Beijing Games, the Olympic scenerio has changed all together. Tibetan students are seen smiling, dancing in their national dress, dancing in Tiananmen Square this morning to for the arrival of the Olympic flame.

Marking the symbolic start to the Beijing Games, President Hu Jintao took the flame and lit a cauldron on a red-carpeted rostrum under the gaze of Chairman Mao Zedong whose giant portrait hangs at the north end of the square.

He then handed the torch to Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang who officially opened the 130-day relay before the cheering crowd.

Roads were closed off, two subway stations closed and no members of the public were allowed onto the square in a huge security operation intended to ensure the ceremony went off without a hitch.

Demonstrations by pro-Tibet activists, protesting over the security clampdown that has followed recent deadly anti-Chinese riots in the Himalayan regions, have dogged the first week of the torch relay in Greece.

One group of Tibetans was prominent on the square – dancers from the Minorities University in Beijing who joined a bevy of ethnic minority performers.

In China, the arrival of the flame triggered a wave of proud delight. One middle-aged woman from a Beijing district dance group, notified only a day earlier that her team had won a place on Tiananme

Demonstrations by pro-Tibet activists, protesting over the security clampdown that has followed recent deadly anti-Chinese riots in the Himalayan regions, have dogged the first week of the torch relay in Greece.

One group of Tibetans was prominent on the square – dancers from the Minorities University in Beijing who joined a bevy of ethnic minority performers.

In China, the arrival of the flame triggered a wave of proud delight. One middle-aged woman from a Beijing district dance group, notified only a day earlier that her team had won a place on Tiananmen Square for the ceremony, said: “We are so happy. This is a great moment for China. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us.”

Demonstrations by pro-Tibet activists, protesting over the security clampdown that has followed recent deadly anti-Chinese riots in the Himalayan regions, have dogged the first week of the torch relay in Greece.

One group of Tibetans was prominent on the square – dancers from the Minorities University in Beijing who joined a bevy of ethnic minority performers.

In China, the arrival of the flame triggered a wave of proud delight. One middle-aged woman from a Beijing district dance group, notified only a day earlier that her team had won a place on Tiananmen Square for the ceremony, said: “We are so happy. This is a great moment for China. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for us.”