Foreign media outlets thumb up 'Beijing 8 Minutes'

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The 23rd Olympic Winter Games came to an end on Sunday after over two weeks of intense competition. The closing ceremony was held at the PyeongChang Olympic Stadium under the theme "The Next Wave" and emphasized the "human spirit of perseverance".

Athletes from 93 countries and regions took part in the grand spectacle, with the handover performance "Beijing 8 Minutes" stealing the show at the ceremony.

The eight-minute preview of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games began at 8 p.m. under the theme of "fusion".

Directed by Zhang Yimou, whose name has been linked to prestigious film festivals in Venice, Cannes and Berlin, the performance highlighted artificial intelligence (AI), human interaction, as well as distinct Chinese elements known worldwide.

Zhang has also directed the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

The show started with a pair of giant illuminated pandas roller skating before being lifted above the ground – and the viewers and media loved it.

"The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony is more like a history lesson of China. Watching the performance is like watching a science fiction movie," a journalist from Brazil's FSB News Agency, said showing his excitement for the show.

"I saw China as the future, but unfortunately the performance time is a bit short."

Aamer Madhani, a reporter for USA Today, said: "The show 'Eight Minutes in Beijing' is a great showcase for contemporary China. As a result, everybody knows China to some extent. I am looking forward to going to Beijing in four years' time Winter Olympics."

Following the performance, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach made his comments on the ability of sports to bring nations together: "You have shown how sport brings people together in our very fragile world".

"You have shown how sport builds bridges."