The 19th Asian Games are set to commence on September 23 in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang Province in eastern China. First held in 1951 in New Delhi, India, the Asian Games are the world's second-largest multi-sport event after the Olympics, organized by the Olympic Council of Asia.
This edition will feature over 12,000 athletes from 45 nations competing for 481 gold medals across 40 sports at 56 venues spread across six cities: Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing, and Jinhua in Zhejiang Province.
In preparation for the games, the Hangzhou Asian Games Village was opened on September 16 to welcome athletes from the region, followed by the opening of the Main Media Center on September 18. On September 22 and 23, the Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend the Opening Ceremony in Hangzhou and host a welcoming banquet along with bilateral events for foreign leaders.
The Asian Games serve as a platform for promoting togetherness and sportsmanship among Asian nations. Beyond athletic competition, the event acts as a form of diplomacy, fostering connections and reducing miscommunication among states despite existing geopolitical tensions. China aims to play a pivotal diplomatic role in enhancing connectivity among participating states, advocating for multilateralism and shared developmental goals.
Reflecting on previous large-scale events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, Hangzhou is poised to showcase China's openness and goodwill. The city has leveraged its experience from hosting major sporting events to enhance its infrastructure and global reputation.
The torch relay for the 19th Asian Games symbolizes unity and sportsmanship, uniting sports fans from diverse cultures. As the torch travels, it not only lights the way for athletes but also ignites the enthusiasm of millions of fans worldwide.
The games are also expected to boost cultural and sports consumption, driving growth in tourism, entertainment, housing, catering, shopping, and transportation. Hangzhou is already witnessing increased consumer activity in transportation, accommodation, and other sectors, highlighting the event's positive economic impact.
Reference(s):
Asian Games: A platform to promote togetherness and sportsmanship
cgtn.com
