Square dancers present a pre-show before the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony began at the National Stadium in Beijing on Friday. The program is divided into 15 segments, including the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.

A pre-show presented by square dancers aged from five to over 70 years old was held prior to the opening ceremony.

The "Square Dance" is a creation of ordinary Chinese people and has become very popular. On public squares in large cities or small towns, people spontaneously gather together to joyfully sing and dance in their off-time.

This choreographed performance showcased the passion of the Chinese people in welcoming the Olympic Winter Games.

A pre-show is presented before the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Actors perform prior to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Firework shows the countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing. As the ceremony started, the lights dimmed and a 24-second countdown followed.[Photo/Xinhua]

Fireworks explode during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. The opening day of the 2022 Winter Olympics coincides with the "Beginning of Spring", which is the first of the 24 solar terms of the year. It is used to count down the last seconds before the ceremony, reflecting the Chinese people's understanding of time. [Photo/Xinhua]

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Flag bearers carry the Chinese national flag into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [ZHANG WEI / CHINA DAILY]

Flag bearers carry the Chinese national flag into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Photo taken on Feb 4, 2022 shows the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Olympic delegation of Greece parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. As an Olympic tradition, Greece, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, was the first team to start the parade of athletes into the  National Stadium.[Photo/Xinhua]

The Olympic delegation of Greece parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. As an Olympic tradition, Greece, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, was the first team to start the parade of athletes into the  National Stadium.[Photo/Xinhua]

The Chinese Olympic delegation entered the opening ceremony with skeleton athlete Zhao Dan and speedskater Gao Tingyu as the flagbearers for the host nation.

The Chinese contingent includes 177 athletes, the country's largest ever presence at the Winter Olympics.

The Olympic delegation of China parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. China, as hosts, marched in last. [ZHANG WEI / CHINA DAILY]

A 'Forming a Snowflake' show is presented during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

A 'Forming a Snowflake' show is presented during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach addresses the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach expressed his gratitude toward China for making these Olympic Winter Games happen amid the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, the global pandemic is still a reality for all of us. Therefore, our gratitude is even deeper for the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, the public authorities and all the Chinese people. Thank you for making these Olympic Winter Games happen - and making them happen in a safe way for everyone," said Bach.

The The Olympic flag is carried into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

Artists stage the performance 'Snowflakes' during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [Photo/Xinhua]

 Fireworks shine at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. [PHOTO / ZOU HONG]

The Olympic cauldron is lit at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Feb 4 2022. This is the main Olympic cauldron at the National Stadium in Beijing. [Photo/Xinhua]

Source: CHINA DAILY