Hangzhou Asian Games opens, highlighting unity in diversity

HANGZHOU, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- The eagerly awaited 19th Asian Games officially commenced here on Saturday night, presenting a dazzling display that celebrated the depth of Chinese culture and history and emphasized unity in diversity.

At 21:16 Beijing time, Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Asian Games open at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre. The event was graced by numerous state leaders and international dignitaries.

Hangzhou Asian Games is the third instance of China hosting the Asiad, following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.

GRAND OPENING

The official inauguration of the Hangzhou Asiad coincided with the Autumn Equinox, one of China's 24 solar terms, symbolizing harvest and reunion in Chinese culture.

A digital torchbearer lights the cauldron during the opening ceremony of Hangzhou Asian Games, Sept. 23, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Xu)

With the theme "Tides Surging in Asia", water played a central role throughout the cultural performance. It symbolized the memories of the Qiantang River, the excitement of sports, Zhejiang's spirit, and the pulse of the times, illustrating the connection between China, Asia, and the broader world.

The Games' opening ceremony reached its climax with an unprecedented digital cauldron-lighting ceremony, wherein millions of torchbearers transformed the digital flames into a digital human figure on the Qiantang River before it ignited the cauldron together with swimming Olympic champion Wang Shun, the last of six athletes who relayed the actual flame within the stadium.

The primary cauldron tower consists of 19 distinct columns arranged in a "wave" formation, representing the 19 editions of the Asian Games.

Before the cultural performance, athletes entered in alphabetical order based on their national or regional Olympic Committee names. Women's basketball team captain Yang Liwei and swimming world champion Qin Haiyang bore the Chinese national flag during the athletes' parade. The audience in the stadium rose and cheered as the Chinese delegation entered.

Raja Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), expressed his gratitude to the Chinese organizers in his address.

"You have done a fantastic job in preparing for the Asian Games. The one-year postponement due to the pandemic was unprecedented in OCA history, but your diligence and determination will bear fruit over the next 16 days and you will be rewarded with the most magnificent and successful Asian Games ever," said Singh.

From September 23 to October 8, Hangzhou Asian Games will feature 40 sports, 61 disciplines, and 481 events. China, the host nation, has the most significant representation with 886 athletes competing in 407 events.

Raja Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), addresses the opening ceremony. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)

Another highlight was the display of landmark buildings from various Asian countries and regions on vertical LED screens, promoting a message of co-existence and harmony.

Source : Xinhua