In one translation of a post on Bullog.cn, Song Shinan called the opening ceremony "empty and spiritless." Shinan went on to note: "This is like a mouth with a tongue cut off -- it does not matter how wide the mouth is opened because you can only hear some unclear moaning sounds."
Shinan said the biggest failure of the opening ceremony was its ignoring of the devastating Chinese earthquake that struck in May.
"Yes, it would be overkill to find an earthquake orphan to ignite the flame and it would also be against many political considerations," Shinan wrote. "But why not have one minute of silence before declaring the opening of the Olympics?? Almost 100,000 lives were lost three months ago, and they don't deserve a minute of silence?? Does the introduction of the earthquake factor based upon humanitarian reasons ruin the celebrative mood?? Is the exhibition of mourning during the Olympics embarrassing to China?"
An unidentified Chinese blogger wrote on the Those Were the Days blog that while the opening ceremony was a successful show, it failed to showcase Chinese culture, according to Roland Soong's translation.
"Is it just a variety show that is westernized but produced better than the West can?" the blogger wrote. "The more I watched, the more I felt that is shallow and overplayed.? This opening ceremony showed the strength of China, but it did not show Chinese culture!? Over the next two weeks or so, the Chinese people will feel great that they have finally stood up. But after the Beijing Olympics is over, the problems of China will not disappear. The rich-poor gap will continue to exist, the people will still be deprived of their rights, the human rights problem will remain and corruption among government officials will continue to exist!"
Another Chinese blogger who identified himself or herself only as "speaking out when there is injustice" on the Sohu blog and translated by China Digital Times, questioned the great cost of the Olympics.
"Does such an extravagant Games necessarily demonstrate our country's strength and prosperity?" the blogger wrote. "Fearful at heart, I think the so-called 'century-old dream' isn't the people's dream, and the so-called 'best Olympics' is nothing more than the 'most costly Games.'"
The blogger went on to protest the intense spending without answering citizen questions about why roads and sidewalks have been repeatedly repaved in anticipation of the Games and how the government was funding the upgrades.
"Olympics is being given the most important political mission, the largest 'image project,' to be achieved through national mobilization at all costs," the blogger continued. "The economic loss and sacrifice of common people's interests are nothing compare with such a goal. If a Chinese has some doubt, then he/she will be trashed as a 'dissident' who runs tremendous political risk; if a foreigner has questions, then he/she will be labeled as part of 'anti-China conspiracy group,' ready to be grilled. I myself am ever more distanced from [the Olympics], consciously."
Political cartoons poking fun at the games have also been escaping the censors, such as this drawing with a translated caption that reads, "I just learned a new put-down: 'your look is violating national interests!!!'"