The 19th Asian Games officially commenced in Hangzhou, the capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province, on September 23. Chinese President Xi Jinping attended the opening ceremony and declared the Games open, highlighting a message of peace, solidarity, and inclusiveness.
Running until October 8, the Hangzhou Asian Games bring together over 12,000 athletes from all 45 member nations of the Olympic Council of Asia, setting a new record for participation. Countries and regions such as the Republic of Korea, Mongolia, and Palestine have sent their largest-ever delegations, emphasizing the widespread enthusiasm for the event.
This edition of the Asian Games stands out not only for its scale but also for featuring the most events in the history of the Games. Athletes will compete in 40 major sports, 61 disciplines, and a total of 481 events. Of these, 29 are Olympic sports aligning with the program for the upcoming Paris Olympics, while 11 are non-Olympic sports showcasing Asia’s diverse and unique regional sports. For the first time, emerging sports such as skateboarding, breakdancing, and e-sports are included, reflecting the evolving landscape of athletic competition.
The Games are primarily hosted in Hangzhou, with five co-host cities: Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing, and Jinhua. Together, they offer 56 competition venues, 31 independent training facilities, one Asian Games Village, and five sub-villages, representing the broadest regional coverage in the history of the Games.
Awarded the hosting rights in 2015, Hangzhou is renowned for its rich cultural heritage and historical significance, embodying the fusion of tradition and modernity. Throughout China’s history, Zhejiang Province has played a pivotal role, and under the reform and opening-up policy, it has pursued development with a global perspective, paving a path towards progress.
While experiencing remarkable economic growth—its GDP reaching nearly 1.9 trillion yuan in 2022—Hangzhou remains committed to preserving its cultural traditions and embracing universal values. The city has been recognized for its high happiness index among Chinese cities, factoring in social security, cultural heritage, and the level of civilization.
The Hangzhou Asian Games symbolize more than just athletic competition; they represent a platform for fostering peace, friendship, and unity among Asian nations. As athletes from diverse backgrounds come together, the Games highlight Asia’s dynamic role in global affairs and its commitment to inclusiveness and solidarity.
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Hangzhou Asian Games to foster peace, solidarity and inclusiveness
cgtn.com
