07/13/2001 - Updated 11:45 AM ET

The scene in Tiananmen Square: 'We win'

By Steve Friess
for USA TODAY

BEIJING, China - First came the screams of joy. They spread from people crowded around transistor radios like a wave through the rest of the throngs in Tiananmen Square.

Then a clearing formed, and dozens of young men ran in circles with flags from Chinese provinces and universities. "We win," said Zhang Zhi, 23. "This is like a gold medal."

The crowd erupted. Several more large clearings formed, with dancing and other celebrations. Large banners appeared, clearly prepared for the event, reading "A new (land) gets ready for the wonderful Olympics."

Here in Tiananmen, the Chinese once celebrated a communist revolution. They ushered in the millennium here, and they mourned Mao Tse Tung's death here. But on this breezy summer evening, crowded between Mao's portrait and the monuments to the people, China sensed its arrival on the world stage.

"China came of age again tonight," said Wang Zemin, 65, who came with his grandson, 13. "It has been a long time since the world respected us."

Amid the good feelings and blaring marching bands, nationalism surfaced. "America is not alone on top of the world anymore," Xiao Pon said. "The world loves us more right now."

Yet many Americans also attended and celebrated, waving red flags and cheering along with the Chinese before ubiquitous TV cameras. "It's great for them and long overdue," tourist Jason Frankel of Miami said. "You can see these people really appreciate this."

Kimberly Jackson of Dallas agreed. "It meant more to them than anyone else in the world. How could they be denied?"

Celebrations will continue throughout the evening, and the Chinese government is expected to host fireworks over the square.

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