GUANGZHOU, China (AP) - As a stadium-like structure rose from an island on the Pearl River that runs through the middle of Guangzhou, a mystery began to unravel in this southern Chinese city.

For months, officials had refused to say where the opening ceremony of the 16th Asian Games would be held. They often justified their secrecy by citing vague security concerns. But recently, the news was leaked in the local media and was eventually announced in a cryptic one-sentence statement that quickly got buried in the games’ official Web site.

The apparent caginess over such an innocuous issue highlights the somewhat schizophrenic and conflicted approach China takes to hosting major events that open up the country to the world.

The Asian Games in November will be another opportunity for China to show off its amazing progress when about 25,000 athletes, coaches and journalists from 45 countries will descend on Guangzhou, a gritty city of 10 million people.

Crews have been feverishly building new subway lines, soaring skyscrapers, green parks and awe-inspiring athletic venues. The construction is expected to be completed far ahead of time - further sealing China’s reputation as the king of speedy infrastructure building.

But not far beneath the increasingly modern, gleaming, cutting-edge surface lurks the darker side of China: the lack of transparency and heavy-handed security that often seems fueled by paranoia.

One of the early signs that China was revving up some of its old-style suspicions of foreigners emerged two years ago when Guangzhou was ready to unveil its Asian Games mascots - five cute little rams whose names when mashed together mean "auspiciousness and joy." Officials hired a leading global public relations firm, Weber Shandwick, which invited The Associated Press to cover the event.

But at the last-minute, Weber Shandwick told an AP reporter his invitation was withdrawn because foreign journalists weren’t being allowed to attend. No explanation was given, but it’s possible that an upsurge in unrest in Tibet at the time influenced the decision to allow only Chinese journalists cover the event.

Although the Asian Games are still seven months away, police have already begun inspecting homes near the opening ceremony venue on Haixinsha Island. Two weeks ago, the managers of Gold Arch Residence - an apartment complex popular with diplomats and foreign executives - posted notices in building lobbies informing residents that police would be "visiting various families for safety investigations."

Shortly after the notice went up, a group of police inspected the residence of an AP reporter and several of his neighbors, who live about two miles from the Haixinsha venue. They scrutinized passports, visas and household registration documents, which are already on file with the police. They were particularly interested in whether the windows provided a view of the Pearl River. They wouldn’t explain why the inspection was necessary.

In the run-up to the Beijing Games in 2008, officials gave the Chinese capital a massive facelift. Just before the Olympics, a wide-ranging security sweep removed many potential or perceived troublemakers. Street hawkers and other vendors had to shut down until after the games. Some of that tight security applied to Guangzhou and other major cities.

"In a way, we envied the Beijingers," said a barber in Guangzhou, who would only give his surname, Zhou, because he feared the authorities would punish him for criticizing the Asian Games.

"After the Olympics were over, they could breathe a big sigh of relief," he said. "But we knew that the nightmare would continue for us. We still had to host the Asian Games."

Billboards and banners that seem ubiquitous around the city say this isn’t so. They tell the public that Guangzhou residents will be the biggest winners in the games. The propaganda campaign constantly reminds Guangzhou that it’s hosting one of the world’s greatest sporting events.

"Things look messy now with all the construction, but Guangzhou will be better than ever when the Asian Games start," said a commercial inspector, who would give only his surname, Wang.

In reality, the Asian Games, held every four years, draw little attention outside of the region. Few world records are broken in events that attract wide global interest. Guangzhou was awarded the games because it was the only bidder. The other three potential hosts - Seoul, South Korea; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and Amman, Jordan - all dropped out, partly because of the high cost of hosting the games.

The total amount of money Guangzhou is spending to spruce up the city for the games and stage the competition hasn’t been made public.

"No number has yet been disclosed," said Jeff Ruffolo, an executive adviser for the games who also worked for the Olympics in Beijing.

Many residents just shrugged off the lack of transparency over the games.

"It’s just how the government and Communist Party operates," said a house painter, who gave only his surname, Zhang, who stopped to watch metal beams being welded at the opening ceremony venue in Haixinsha.