Here's one way to avoid incidents in Tiananmen Square

Don't let anybody onto the place! In normal times, views like the ones below would contain the faces, backs, arms, legs, hats, umbrellas, balloons, etc of roughly one zillion people. Today, the day of the opening ceremonies, no one except officials let any closer than the far side of the wide road.





A cop told us that the square would be open again tomorrow. Also, in fairness, anyone who has seen Washington DC get locked down for events involving the Imperial Presidency will find the scene familiar.

Meanwhile, sky looks better than it did this morning, and much better than it did 24 hours ago. Let the Games begin.