What's the most breathtaking and memorable performance you've seen? Many Chinese will probably say it was the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and the competitions. Let's travel back to revisit the events that built a bridge between China and the world like never before.
Dazzling fireworks painted the night sky. Golden giant footprints traversed along the axis of Beijing from Tian'anmen Square to the National Stadium nicknamed the "Bird's Nest." It unveiled the hours-long show that presented a new China to the world.
In 2001, Beijing was elected to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, beating out Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka.
The Chinese saw this announcement as an international affirmation of China's growing influence and helped to cement China's emergence as a major global actor.
Beijing hosted the Games of records and superlatives. More than 40 world records and over 130 Olympic records were broken.
Venues built for the Games have since become landmarks, including the National Stadium and the nearby National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube."
An aerial view of the "Bird Nest", China National Stadium (R) and 'Water Cube', National Aquatics Center in Beijing. /VCG Photo
Beijing's transportation infrastructure was expanded. The Capital International Airport underwent a major renovation with the addition of Terminal 3. The city's subway system doubled in capacity and total track length, with the addition of seven lines and 80 stations, to the previous four lines and 64 stations.
It's been eleven years since China astounded the world with a magnificent opening ceremony and spectacular Olympic Games. The legacy of those events has influenced the host city as well as the country as a whole.
The Olympic Games affirmed the achievements of China's reform and opening up and boosted Beijing's international status.
It has also led to the sustainable use of many venues.
As of last year, the "Bird's Nest" received more than 35 million visitors from across the world and held about 600 different events including international football matches, concerts and the 2015 Beijing IAAF World Athletics Championships.
The iconic "Water Cube" has realized sustainable development goals with an annual operating income of over 250 million yuan (about 36 million U.S. dollars).
And some say it's also boosted China's determination to open up.
A sculpture with the logo of Beijing 2008 in Beijing. /VCG Photo
In 2001, when Beijing won the bid for the Summer Olympics, it marked a step towards achieving China's two centenary goals. By hosting the Games, China lifted its veil, offering the world an opportunity to see the once mysterious land, with its unique culture and modern wonders. It was just one step in China's opening-up, but she never plans to stop.
In the future, China will continue to rely on its precious traditional wisdom in realizing the Chinese Dream. As the slogan of the 2008 Summer Games goes, "One World, One Dream," and China calls upon the whole world to build a better future for humanity.