Who will light the cauldron at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony tonight?

Five names have been widely talked about - Liu Xiang, Xu Haifeng, Li Ning, He Zhenliang and Yao Ming.

Liu Xiang                    Xu Haifeng                 He Zhenliang      Li Ning               Yao Ming

"I still think Yao Ming will do the honors," Craig Neff, assistant managing editor of the US publication Sports Illustrated, said at the Main Press Center.

The giant Houston Rockets center will not be disappointed if not chosen, as he has already participated in the torch relay in Beijing on Wednesday.

In past Olympics, a relay torchbearer is normally not selected to light the cauldron.

Yao has been quoted as saying: "I never had a wish to light the cauldron."

The Shanghai native undoubtedly presents a positive image for China's new generation. He is disciplined, has a sense of humor and believes in teamwork, characteristics that have endeared him to fans at home and abroad.

Such an image is exactly what China wants. The Games has attracted thousands of journalists, some no doubt, will be critical in their reports.

China is eager to show its true self to the outside world, especially to those suspicious of its rapid rise.

The opening ceremony is an ideal platform to dispel any suspicions.

"I'm focusing on how China will showcase itself at the opening ceremony," Jonathan Paterson, a BBC news assignment editor, said.

"What I want to know is whether the public display will live up to expectations."

Reuters photographer Gary Hershorn, who has covered numerous Olympic opening ceremonies in the past 25 years, watched two rehearsals.

"The scale of the production really stunned me. There were so many performers in each segment," he said.

However, it was "difficult to understand the Chinese elements featured in the segments without programs, which will not be available till just before the ceremony", Hershorn said.

The opening ceremony will be directed by Zhang Yimou.