With doubts and criticism about security, air quality, traffic and weather among others, the Olympic torch will enter the National Stadium, the "Bird Nest" on Friday, marking the opening of the 29th Olympiad.

As an Olympic host for the first time, China hopes to present its aspiration to share the benefits of development and to join with the rest of the world. China chose 8 p.m. on Aug. 8 to hold the opening ceremony, as 8 sounds like "fortune" in Mandarin Chinese, and is the number that best represents prosperity and wealth.

Chinese President Hu Jintao said on Monday that the government and people would honor their commitment, and do their utmost to host a high-level Games with distinguishing features.

However, the route for the torch's visit in some countries was not smooth as anti-China and other protestors including pro-Tibet independence activists attempted to interrupt the torch relay.

The 8.0-magnitude Sichuan earthquake that killed nearly 70,000 people also forced a change to the route. China suspended the relay for three days in memory of the lost lives.

As the torch neared the end of its journey, Beijing announced that all preparations had been completed, and the Olympics now commands headlines across the world.

Hundreds of thousands of sports fans, tourists and reporters will swarm into Beijing, a test for the Chinese people's skills in foreign languages. They would also judge China's skills in dealing with challenges from potential terrorist attacks, traffic jams, air pollution, and food safety after 30 years of opening-up to the outside world.