Square dancers present a pre-show at the Bird's Nest Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. (XINHUA)

BEIJING - President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games on Friday at the National Stadium.

The ceremony is divided into 15 segments, including the parade of athletes and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron.

As the ceremony started at 8 pm, the lights dimmed and a 24-second countdown followed.

ALSO READ: Xi: Games galvanize the world

The delegation from Greece take part in the parade of athletes during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, on Feb 4, 2022. (BEN STANSALL / AFP)

The opening day of the 2022 Winter Olympics coincides with the "Beginning of Spring", which is the first of the 24 solar terms of the year. It is used to count down the last seconds before the ceremony, reflecting the Chinese people's understanding of time.

A pre-show presented by square dancers aged from five to over 70 years old was held at around 7:30 pm at the Bird's Nest Stadium.

The Olympic delegation of Hong Kong, China parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (HUANG ZONGZHI/XINHUA)

The Olympic delegation of the People's Republic of China parade into the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (LI ZIHENG/XINHUA)

The "Square Dance" is a creation of ordinary Chinese people and has become very popular. On public squares in large cities or small towns, people spontaneously gather together to joyfully sing and dance in their off-time.

This choreographed performance showcased the passion of the Chinese people in welcoming the Olympic Winter Games.

As an Olympic tradition, Greece, which hosted the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, was the first team to start the parade of athletes into the Bird's Nest Stadium.

The Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (LI ZIHENG / XINHUA)

Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (JU HUANZONG / XINHUA)

Future Olympic Winter Games hosts Italy (Milano-Cortina 2026) was the second-from-last to enter under a change approved by the IOC Executive Board in December 2019.

China, as hosts, marched in last. The Chinese Olympic delegation entered the opening ceremony with skeleton athlete Zhao Dan and speed skater Gao Tingyu as the flagbearers.

The Chinese contingent includes 177 athletes, the country's largest-ever presence at the Winter Olympics.

Athletes of other countries and regions entered in stroke order of their team names as written in the Chinese characters, with Turkey following Greece.

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (WU WEI/XINHUA)

The teams are led by a placard bearer dressed in costumes with ice and snow patterns. The placards, in the shape of a glowing snowflake with National/Regional Olympic Committee names on them, are inspired by the "Chinese knot," which is an ancient Chinese craft of hand knitting, symbolizing solidarity and prosperity.

Fireworks illuminate the night sky over the National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (WANG JINGQIANG/XINHUA)

Photo taken on Feb 4, 2022 shows the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China. (WU WEI / XINHUA)

International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach expressed his gratitude toward China for making these Olympic Winter Games happen amid the pandemic.

"Unfortunately, the global pandemic is still a reality for all of us. Therefore, our gratitude is even deeper for the Beijing 2022 Organizing Committee, the public authorities and all the Chinese people. Thank you for making these Olympic Winter Games happen — and making them happen in a safe way for everyone," said Bach.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach addresses the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (LI GA / XINHUA)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, Feb 4, 2022. (YANG LEI/XINHUA)

Artists stage the performance "Snowflakes" during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, Feb 4, 2022. (XINHUA)

Photo taken on Feb 4, 2022 shows a cauldron holding the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games at the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China. (CAO CAN/XINHUA)