Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: Chinese President Xi Jinping declares the 19th Asian Games open
Asian Games 2023 Opening Ceremony Live Updates: The Hangzhou Asian Games, a blend of artificial intelligence and eco-friendly technology, began here on Saturday with a unique opening ceremony that began with a spectacular futuristic light show. The glitzy event, held amid a diplomatic row over the denial of entry to three Indian athletes from Arunachal Pradesh, was a blend of technology, China’s cultural history and the continent’s spirit of unity.
In keeping with the main theme of ‘Ebb and flow in Asia’, the ceremony was about the interconnectedness of China, Asia and the world in the new era, as well as the unity, love and friendship of Asian peoples. The element of water through the rising tide of the Qiantang River – which flows through Hangzhou – was the underlying theme of the grand evening that lasted nearly two hours.
Chinese President Xi Jinping declared the Games open, as more than 12,000 athletes from 45 countries prepare to fight for top honors on October 8. Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Acting President Randhir Singh, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Chief Thomas Bach, heads of several countries, officials of National Olympic Committees and many other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
