The glow of humanity in Olympic fireworks

BEIJING — As promised Friday, the People's Republic of China loudly marched onto the world stage and gloriously linked hands with the world.

It became official when 90,000 Chinese fans did the wave.

During a Summer Olympics opening ceremony filled with flying fairies, dancing light bulbs and enough fireworks to stock every roadside shack in Tennessee, the most dazzling part was the Chinese people themselves.

In a thumping lecture that honored China's rich history through its technological present -- complete with a torch lighting by a gold-medal gymnast who floated across the top of National Stadium -- the government offered the expected bells and whistles.

But it was the fans who provided the humanity.

In sweltering 90-degree heat that turned the Bird's Nest into a wok, thousands nonetheless chirped gratefully at everything from confusing dances to rival countries.

They waved their Chinese flags at everyone, flashed their decorative lights during every moment of darkness, gasped in delight at every twist.

And, well, yeah, they even roared for Kobe Bryant.

While the government put on a steely smile that included a manufactured breeze to flap the Chinese and Olympic flags -- even as fans underneath furiously fanned themselves -- the real story was in the stands.

The highlight occurred at the end of the athletes' march, with the appearance of the Chinese team, led by basketball flag-bearer Yao Ming and a 9-year-old Sichuan earthquake survivor.

The fans erupted in what may have been the longest standing ovation in sports history, 13 minutes strong, everyone rhythmically waving flags and chanting "Jia you," which loosely translates to, "Go for it," which is exactly what they did.

Stories of government oppression dominated the days leading up to these Games, but it was the simple pleasure of its citizens that stole the show.

For these Olympics to work, it has to stay that way.

For the world to put aside its distaste for China's human rights record and believe in these Games, these Games will first have to believe in themselves.

Only through the people of China can this happen. So far, they are off to a good start, partying even as their government attempted to preach.

Indeed, the show on the stadium floor was well-staged and precisely executed, a great display of China's legacy and future.

But it didn't seem as real as the people watching.