Saudi Gazette report

HANGZHOU — In a grand cultural spectacle that masterfully blended custom and cutting-edge expertise, China inaugurated the nineteenth version of the Asian Video games within the metropolis of Hangzhou on Saturday.

Beneath the theme “From the Coronary heart to the Future,” Chinese language President Xi Jinping formally opened the largest-ever Asian Video games, foregoing fireworks consistent with a dedication to environmental sustainability.

After a one-year delay because of the stringent measures imposed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the Video games kicked off with the participation of a staggering 12,417 athletes from 45 nations over the course of two weeks.

The Video games, which first debuted in New Delhi in 1951, have now grown to rival the Olympics.

President Xi, who obtained an enthusiastic welcome from the big crowd of spectators waving Chinese language flags, inaugurated the Video games, marking the third time they’ve been hosted in China after Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.

The occasion happened in Hangzhou, a metropolis recognized for its prosperity and progress, providing a glimpse into the nation’s future.

Saudi Minister of Sports activities Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki attended the grand opening.

The opening ceremony vividly portrayed China’s wealthy cultural heritage and romantic imagery by seamlessly merging its historic civilization with trendy expertise.

The ceremony showcased the traditional metropolis of Liangzhu, a sacred and outstanding historic website in China with a 5,000-year historical past.

Leveraging progressive trendy applied sciences, the ceremony revolved round water, Hangzhou’s historic historical past, and its picturesque landscapes, whereas additionally acknowledging the town’s repute because the unofficial tech capital of China.

Notably, conventional fireworks weren’t used through the opening ceremony on the Olympic-inspired “Large Lotus” stadium, aligning with the Video games’ eco-friendly strategy.

As an alternative, 50,000 spectators have been handled to a “visible feast” via using spectacular digital fireworks, that includes 3D animations and augmented actuality expertise.

Because the host nation with a large delegation of round 800 athletes, China is a robust contender to prime the medal desk, with Japan and South Korea vying for second place.

The Video games can be held at 54 sporting venues, together with 14 newly constructed ones, primarily in Hangzhou but in addition extending to distant cities like Wenzhou, 300 kilometers to the south.

Hangzhou, a metropolis of 12 million residents, simply an hour away by high-speed prepare from Shanghai, is famend for its historic temples, gardens, and the beloved West Lake.

To make sure the success of the Video games, roughly 37,600 volunteers have been chosen from round 324,000 candidates.

The nineteenth Asian Video games are set to supply a platform for extraordinary athletic feats whereas showcasing the intersection of custom and expertise, leaving a long-lasting legacy in Hangzhou and additional elevating the town’s international prominence.