The opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics began on Friday as China attempted to turn the page on a troubled build-up overshadowed by human rights concerns and Covid. The lattice-shaped “Bird’s Nest” stadium took centre stage, just as it did at the 2008 Games – seen as China’s coming-out party on the world stage – as Beijing becomes the first city to host both a Summer and Winter Olympics. The opening ceremony was attended by President Xi Jinping, under whose rule China has adopted a more muscular attitude internationally compared to 14 years ago. Xi, who will declare the Games offici…

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