The Olympic ceremonies will convey the "conception of harmony from an international perspective", Chen Weiya, deputy general director of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Games, said Tuesday.

"Preparations for both ceremonies are progressing as planned. We are getting used to spreading the essence of Chinese culture and conception to the world," said Chen, a member of the 11th National Committee of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

"The higher we stand, the more we appreciate our own possessions," he noted.

Chen acknowledged that it is really a big challenge for the directors to have China better known to the world through the performances lasting more than one hour.

With the Olympics some 150 days away, Chen said he was under tremendous pressure, working more than ten hours a day and suffering from insomnia at night.

"Everyone conceived an ideal opening ceremony in mind and the Chinese people have pinned too much hope on the galas. The hardest thing for us is to present the fruits of Chinese and world civilization harmoniously," Chen said.

Chen Weiya and Zhang Jigang were selected as assistants to director Zhang Yimou to mastermind both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympics.

The three-and-a-half-hour opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics slated for Aug. 8 will include four parts -- opening addresses, performances, entrance of athletes and lighting of the main flame, among which the performances are planned for one hour and a half.

China is resolved to make the ceremony a success. The first full dress rehearsal will be held on July 10 at the National Stadium, according to an earlier report.

(Xinhua News Agency March 5, 2008)