China ready for Olympics as four billion watch

As many as 4bn people are expected to watch the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games today. Final preparations are being made for the extravaganza when 35,000 fireworks will be lit over a stadium where 10,000 people will dance and perform.

World leaders including George W Bush have arrived in Beijing for the ceremony. Mr Bush made a speech critical of China's human rights record at a function in Bangkok yesterday.

Yesterday, two Britons arrested in Beijing for unveiling pro-Tibet banners as the Olympic torch made its final journey across the city were released and awaiting deportation. Iain Thom, 24 from Edinburgh and Lucy Fairbrother, 23, from London had climbed lampposts to demonstrate against China's presence in Tibet.