A cultural performance themed “Fantasia of Dreams” marked the beginning of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. The opening ceremony took place in the Beijing National Aquatics Center known as the "Water Cube." Made with four quarters, as a basketball game, the performance not only shows the fighting spirit of basketball, but also expresses China's warm welcome as the host country.

The performance opened with the sonata “In Pursuit of a Better Self” adapted from a famous Chinese ancient music “Southern Tunes: The General’s Order.” Lang Lang, the world-renowned pianist, played passionately accompanied by Peking opera. Just as the lyrics, the pursuit of a better self reflects what all the athletes are doing on the pitch. 

“As nature evolves and time flies, everyone strives to be a better self. Taking adversities as ingredients for success, defying trials and tribulations, I stand tall and dignified.”

World-famous actor Jackie Chan came out in the second quarter with the moving story of the basketball player, Ye Sha who died at 16 years.

Ye’s parents donated his organs to seven people who then created a basketball team with Ye's name. 

Along with Jackie Chan’s singing “Ambition of My Heart”, Ye Sha team strode to the stage and sang the song together: “Even the highest mountain or deepest river, wouldn’t stop me from pursuing future.”

Chinese singer Sitar Tan, Yang Hongji, and Jiekejunyi performed the songs “Aspire Higher” and “Living My Youth” in the third quarter.

The performance ended with a warm welcome “Welcome Friends from Afar” sung by Jin Zhiwen, expressing Beijing's warm attitude to basketball players around the world. “Friends came from afar, we gather luckily and get along well. We’ll keep this kind of love, everyone is welcomed.”

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 trophy was presented at the end of the show. Yao Ming, the Chairman of the CBA as the guest of honor presented the trophy. “We are looking forward to the winner. Also, we expect more wonderful moments to happen in the eight cities of China,” Yao said.