Dragon dancers' excitement mounts

As the clock ticks inexorably toward tonight's grand gala in Tian'anmen Square, dragon dancer Cai Mingchan says he has to take deep breaths periodically in order to contain his growing excitement.

Cai will lead the Tongliang dragon dance scheduled for tonight's National Day celebration.

He helped choreograph and direct the performance and has been listening to drum beats several hours a day during the past four months as he and his team of more than 100 prepared for the traditional celebratory act.