BEIJING -- A brilliant Opening Ceremony is very important for the success of the Beijing Olympic Games, said Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, on Saturday.

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during a rehearsal of the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 2, 2008. [Agencies]

Li made the remarks when he watched the rehearsal of the grandiose Opening Ceremony of the 29th Olympic Games six days before its inauguration on August 8.

In meeting with the crew of the rehearsal at the end of their performance, Li gave cordial greetings to them on behalf of General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Hu Jintao.

Li Changchun (R), member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Political Bureau, shakes hands with the Games opening ceremony artistic director Zhang Yimou after a rehearsal of the opening ceremony, August 2, 2008. [Xinhua]

Li spoke highly of the splendid performance and he attributed the successful rehearsal to the hard efforts by all those involved.

He urged them to make further efforts to "achieve the final victory and present a colorful performance on the Opening Ceremony."