Lin and Yang: opposing force silenced little star in red

LIN MIAOKE, 9, the Chinese girl in the red dress who captured the world's hearts when she sang solo during the Olympic opening ceremony, is the hottest child star on the planet.

However, the voice the world heard singing so sweetly was not Lin's. It was a pre-recording of another child, Yang Peiyi, 7, who was dropped from the opening ceremony at the last minute in the "national interest". The switch happened at the behest of a member of China's politburo.

The general music designer of the opening ceremony, Chen Qigang, told Beijing Radio he owed the nation an explanation and he wanted to ensure Yang's contribution was recognised.

Mr Chen said the original choice for the lead was a 10-year-old girl, who was used throughout the rehearsals for Friday's opening extravaganza but she was dumped after the director, Zhang Yimou, deemed her "a little too old".

A group of younger girls was then shortlisted, including Lin and Yang. After recording them, Mr Chen's team unanimously decided Yang's sweet voice was "flawless" and that she would sing the lead. However, at the final rehearsals a member of China's ruling nine-man politburo made his dissatisfaction with Yang clear.

There were rumours at the time of the rehearsals that unspecified, last-minute changes had been ordered by the senior leadership.

"We had been through several inspections; they were all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were spectators from various divisions, especially a leader from the politburo, who gave us his opinion: it must change," Mr Chen said.

"The reason was for the national interest. The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings, and expression. Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects, but in the aspect of voice, Yang Peiyi is flawless, in each member of our team's view."

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