More than one thousand people gathered Friday afternoon at Israeli port city of Tel Aviv, celebrating the opening of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"This is the moment when the Olympic dream of the Chinese people finally comes true," said the Chinese Ambassador to Israel Zhao Jun before the opening ceremony.

"It is a dream that strengthens our friendship and understanding and promotes healthy competition," he added.

The Israeli participants, invited by the Chinese Embassy, showed their high expectation for the biggest sports event worldwide every four years.

"I believe that Beijing Olympic Games would be the most successful one in the history," the journalist of Israeli daily Globes Dror Feuer told Xinhua.

Several local media, including Israeli Channel One and Israel Radio, broadcast live the opening ceremony show to the Jewish state, which had sent a 42-member Olympic delegation to Beijing.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)