The day China has long-awaited, the day it makes its debut on the international sports stage with, literally, a cast of thousands, arrives Friday when opening ceremonies kick off the Beijing Olympics inside its stunning 91,000-seat ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium.

Master chef Stephen Ho owns four Chinese restaurants in Sydney, Narromine, Dunedoo and Coolah and was visiting Dubbo yesterday when the Daily Liberal caught up with him and his two chef’s Tony Sho and Men Wong.

Mr Ho was born in Canton also known as Guangzhou, China, and moved to Australia to set up Chinese restaurants 30 years ago.

Mr Ho said he was eagerly awaiting Friday night’s opening ceremony.

“I plan to sit back and relax at home in Narromine with a beverage and a Chinese meal to watch the games,” Mr Ho said.

“The Olympics is such a big event for my country, it will not only lift the standards of sport in China but it is also good for the economy,” he said.

Assistant chef Tony Sho, also from Narromine but originally from Canton as well, said China has been waiting a long time to show off to the rest of the world.

“I’m very happy that we have the Olympics because China was one vote behind Australia in the bid for the 2000 Olympics, now we have our turn,” Mr Sho said.

Local dentist Peter Soo and his wife Angela said they would be cheering for only for Australia in every Olympic event.

Mr Soo moved to Australia from Canton in Southern China in 1955 as a six-year-old, he came to Dubbo in the 1980’s and has been operating a dentist surgery ever since.

Mr Soo’s wife Angela was born in Hong Kong.

“We are looking forward to watching the swimming, Australia always comes first, but if the Aussies are losing we will cheer for China,” Mrs Soo said.

belinda.galloway@ruralpre ss.com