Senior party leader: Brilliant opening important for success of Olympics

Li Changchun (R), member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, shakes hands with director Zhang Yimou after the second full dress rehearsal of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, China, Aug. 2, 2008. Li Changchun watched the dress rehearsal Saturday evening and met with performers, extending his congratulations. Li Changchun also conveyed greetings to performers on behalf of Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.(Photo credit: Ma Zhancheng/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- A brilliant Opening Ceremony is very important for the success of the Beijing Olympic Games, said Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, on Saturday.

Li Changchun (R), member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, shakes hands with a performer after the second full dress rehearsal of the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony in Beijing, China, Aug. 2, 2008.(Photo credit: Ma Zhancheng/Xinhua)

Li made the remarks when he watched the rehearsal of the grandiose Opening Ceremony of the 29th Olympic Games six days before its inauguration on Aug. 8.

In meeting with the crew of the rehearsal at the end of their performance, Li gave cordial greetings to them on behalf of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao.

Li spoke highly of the splendid performance and he attributed the successful rehearsal to the hard efforts by all those involved.

He urged them to make further efforts to "achieve the final victory and present a colorful performance on the Opening Ceremony."