Spielberg lauds Zhang's work of staggering genius

Chinese movie master Zhang Yimou's opening ceremonies at the Beijing Olympic Games have won high praise throughout the world.

And now he joins the illustrious company of president elect Barack Obama, US Federal Reserve governor Henry Paulson, French President Nicholas Zarkozy and US vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin as Time magazine's top people of the year.

Academy award-winning director Steven Spielberg wrote a tribute to Zhang in the latest edition of the magazine saying the opening ceremony was a work of true genius.