But the significance of the ceremony goes much deeper, marking the start of what it is hoped will be a new era in Chinese engagement with the world.

Clearly the Olympics mix politics with sport and the undue emphasis on the tally of gold medals won by each nation reflects the potency of the Games as a political vehicle.

The host nation also benefits from an upsurge in patriotism, a swelling in national pride that sparks lavish spending on venues. The host nation also uses the Games to further its geopolitical ambitions which, for China, is a particularly important consideration.

Beijing lost out to Sydney for the 2000 Games but its application for 2008 was successful when it offered to improve human rights in the world's most populous nation.

It would be unrealistic to believe the change in culture could be done overnight. Even a change at the highest levels would take time to percolate through the layers of officialdom that has been used to exercising unfettered power over ordinary citizens.

The military intervention in Tibet last March was a tragic setback to the world's hopes for a more liberal approach by Beijing. In the past month the record has been patchy, with ''petitioners'' being dealt with roughly, according to reports.

The international media have been treated to displays of paranoia such as hassling camera crews and restricting internet access. Many commentators have noted the contradiction between China's desire to invite the world to the Olympics and its attempts to deny basic freedoms to the visitors, and its own people.

Each time round, the Games are traditionally described as the ''best ever'' and there is every reason to believe the Beijing Olympics will fulfil the organiser's hopes.

The global television audience is guaranteed another feast of records. The gamut of human emotions will be on display. There will be triumph and tragedy, euphoria and despair.

The Games are undoubtedly a patriotic rallying point to unite the 1.3 billion Chinese people. With the Chinese people already bursting with pride over garnering this spectacular event, the Chinese Communist Party can use the hosting of a successful Games to justify its legitimacy to its people.

It is timely to take an optimistic view about China's intentions, now that the Beijing Games have got to the starter's post. Can we give China the benefit of the doubt, to hope that it will fulfil its promises of an improved human rights record, while maintaining our sense of realism about changing the nation's direction in the short term?

It is widely said that China does not care what the rest of the world thinks. The world hopes that is not true in regard to the way it treats rebellious citizens. Certainly, the sentiment does not hold true in regional affairs because China is quick to complain about any regional efforts at ''containment''.

China is spreading its influence through its region, and around the globe. Therefore, Beijing will have high hopes that the Games further its geopolitical aims.

The regime can use the Games to project ''soft power''. The completion of a successful Games as we all hope they prove will give the world an impression of a dynamic, modernised China that can carry off a major sporting enterprise. It would announce China's modernity, some Asia-watchers say, and feed into the three aims of Chinese foreign policy status, wealth and power. This would be a good outcome, especially if it led to a reduction in China's paranoia.

Yet we are not blind to the excesses of the Communist Party and its ruthless treatment of any citizen who dares criticise the regime.

For instance, there is the case of a teacher in Sichuan province, Liu Shaokun. Many schools there collapsed in the earthquake while other buildings were untouched. He put photographs on the internet of schools where students had been killed and it is reported that he has been imprisoned indefinitely without trial.

Certainly Tibet has damaged China's international image and remains the elephant in the room for these Olympics. The talks with the Dalai Lama must be rescued from stalemate and an agreement found that preserves Tibetan culture.

China's obstinacy over personal freedoms for its citizens angers and frustrates the West. In the eyes of many, the Games are tainted. But today remains an opportunity to extend best wishes for a successful Games while emphasising that the world expects big changes in China's role as a global citizen.