Top 10 world news events in 2008

5. Beijing successfully holds Olympic and Paralympic Games

Photo taken on Aug. 24, 2008 shows the fireworks of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The building on the left is the National Aquatic Center, or the Water Cube. The closing ceremony began at 8 p.m. sharp on Sunday.

On Aug. 8-24 and Sept. 6-17, the 29th Olympic Games and the 13th Paralympic Games were held respectively in Beijing. The numbers of participating countries and athletes surpassed past Games. Leaders and dignitaries from more than 80 countries and regions, a historic record, attended the opening ceremonies.

China made tremendous efforts to hold the high-level Olympic and Paralympic Games with distinguishing features, and lived up to its promise of "Two Games, Equal Splendor."