On the evening of Sep. 10, 2021, a grand event to celebrate the one-year countdown to the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 was held inside the tennis center of Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center (the Little Lotus). Yuan Jiajun, Secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress, unveiled the design of the torch of Hangzhou Asian Games, and Zheng Zhajie, Deputy Secretary of Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, Governor of Zhejiang Province and Chairman of Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, addressed the audience.
And officials including Ge Huijun, Chairman of Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, Gao Zhidan, Vice Director of the State General Administration of Sports, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee and Vice Chairman of Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, Chen Jinbiao, Member of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee, Executive Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province and Vice Chairman of Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, Chen Yijun, Member of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee and Secretary General, Liang Liming, Secretary of the Party Group and Vice Director of the Standing Committee of Zhejiang Provincial People's Congress, Wang Wenxu, Vice Governor of Zhejiang Province and Vice Chairman of Hangzhou Asian Para Games Organizing Committee, Liu Xin, Deputy Secretary of Hangzhou Municipal Party Committee, Mayor of Hangzhou, Vice Chairman and Secretary General of Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, Qiu Dongyao, Deputy Secretary of Ningbo Municipal Party Committee and Mayor of Ningbo, Li Huolin, Chairman of the Standing Committee of Hangzhou Municipal People's Congress, Pan Jiawei, Chairman of Hangzhou Municipal Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and Li Lingwei, Member of the International Olympic Committee, Vice Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee and Deputy Secretary General of Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, etc. were present at the event.
With "hope" as its theme, the event showcased the city’s eager expectation for the coming Asian Games. As the giant screen on the spot presented a marvelous visual effect of time-space interwoven, Yuan Jiayun ascended to the main stage and officially released the design of the torch. Named “Eternal Flame,” the torch slowly rose from a model of Jade Cong. As the focus of all eyes, it highlighted the long-lasting Chinese civilization and symbolized the unity of athletes from different countries, and also demonstrated the charm of intelligent manufacturing in Zhejiang.
Gao Zhidan and Liu Xin together stamped "Hangzhou, China" on the invitation letter, sending invitations to 45 national (regional) Olympic committees in Asia. The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), the 2018 Asian Games Organizing Committee of Indonesia, the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games Organizing Committee and its co-host cities also sent their blessings via video.
During the event, the official sports uniforms and ritual attire were unveiled as well. Singer Pang Long, the Symphony Orchestra, and teachers and students from universities in Hangzhou offered wonderful performances. Xiao Zhan, the Dream Ambassador of Hangzhou Asian Games, also appeared on the stage surprisingly and brought the audience the song “We will all go to a better future.” And the event finally came to an end with the song "A home together" by singer Lu Wei and the youth.
It is said that the one-year countdown celebration of Hangzhou Asian Games marked another milestone in the preparation of the Games. In the coming year, Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee will continue to promote “Asian Games for Sports,” “Asian Games for Cities,” and “Asian Games for Brands,” enhance the ability to host the Games safely in the global pandemic, and propel the operation of venues and rehearsal activities in an orderly manner. The promotion activities of Hangzhou Asian Games will go on in different parts of the country to create a lively atmosphere for the Asian Games in all walks of life and present a fabulous sports and cultural event featuring Chinese characteristics, Zhejiang style and Hangzhou flavor.