By Tarun Basu. Asia Pacific, 11:01 AM IST

About 80 heads of state and government have descended on Beijing for the greatest show on earth. They include US President George W. Bush, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Israeli President Shimon Peres.

Bush has brought his entire family, including his wife Laura, parents - former president George H.W. Bush and mother Barbara - his sister Doro and brother Marvin.

Israeli President Peres will walk to the National Stadium, it was reported here, because during the Jewish Sabbath, which lasts from Friday night till Saturday, riding in vehicles in forbidden.

By Tarun Basu (Staff Writer, © IANS)