Aug 08 2008
8-8-08, or Fathers and Sons
August 8, 2008 has finally come. This auspicious date (eight is a lucky number in China) was chosen seven years ago to be the official opening day for the Beijing Olympic Games. In fact, to maximize the good fortune, the opening ceremony began at 8:00pm.
Interior of the new embassy
“8-8-08” is also marked by the opening of the new U.S. Embassy in Beijing. At $434 million, it is the second most expensive building US State Department has constructed overseas, behind only the Baghdad embassy compound, in which all embassy personnel live. In order to “out-Chinese” the Chinese, the ceremony began promptly at 8:08am.