Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: The missile force carried out a major operation using the Palestine 2 ballistic hypersonic missile, hitting several targets in occupied Yafa.
Sirens sound in large areas of occupied Palestine after a missile launch from Yemen was detected
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: 14 martyrs arrive at al-Shifa Hospital following Israeli massacre of al-Sultan Family north of Gaza.
Qatari PM: We must not surrender to the arrogance of extremists and pursue our quest for a 'two-state solution'
Qatari PM: The only path to peace begins through negotiations and a ceasefire
Qatari PM: We demand that the Security Council assume its historical responsibility, as silence in the face of the law of the jungle undermines international peace and destabilizes the UN system
Qatari PM: The extremists who rule "Israel" do not care about the lives of the "hostages"; otherwise, how can the timing and location of the attack be explained?
Qatari PM: 'Israel's' attack on Hamas leaders in Doha is a violation of Qatar's sovereignty
Qatari PM: The ongoing [Israeli] violations only prove one thing: the Israeli officials' drunkenness on power amid impunity
Yemeni Ministry of Health: The death toll from the Israeli aggression on Sanaa and Al-Jawf Governorate has risen to 46, in addition to 165 injuries, including a large number of women and children, according to a non-final toll

China's 2022 Asian Games: Unity, spirit and technology

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen
  • 23 Sep 2023 14:25
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

This year's Asiad games will see China incorporating elements of artificial intelligence and environmental technology through the event.

  • x
  • sd
    The official mascots of the 2022 Asian Games Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian are pictured in Hangzhou, China’s eastern Zhejiang province on September 21, 2023 (AFP)

The 19th edition of the Asian Games, also referred to as Asiad, is set to commence from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China. The event will bring together 12,200 athletes representing 45 Asian nations.

The grand opening ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, affectionately known as the Big Lotus. Originally built as a football stadium in 2018, it boasts an impressive seating capacity, accommodating up to 80,000 spectators.

China will introduce a unique touch at this year's event, incorporating elements of artificial intelligence and environmental technology. This showcase highlights Beijing's remarkable progress in these domains and its commitment to integrating them into daily life in ways that benefit individuals and communities.

Asiad, held once every four years, features a wide array of sports, encompassing 40 sports, and 61 disciplines, all while offering a total of 483 gold medals. It ranks as the second-largest multi-sport event globally, following the Olympic Games, and enjoys recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

History and unity

The inception of the Asian Games traces back to discussions between China and the Philippines in 1948, during the London Olympics.

Reviving the concept of the Far Eastern Games was at the core of this discussion, with India later officially proposing the concept. India believed that the Far Eastern Games would exemplify the spirit of unity and the remarkable progress occurring in Asian sports.

Building on this vision, a preparatory committee was established to draft the constitution for this novel organization.

Read more: Syria's Al-Assad lands in China on historic visit, marks new era

Related News

At least 47 Palestinian athletes killed by 'Israel' since October 7

Media coverage of women's football: On track, but more steps needed

On February 13, 1949, the Asian Athletic Federation was formally inaugurated in New Delhi. Simultaneously, New Delhi was announced as the host city for the first-ever event, which took place in 1951.

  • sd
    A snippet from an article on the start of the Asian Games in The Indian Express, on March 4, 1951 (Google Archives)

The Games also act as a significant diplomatic event, and served throughout the years as a major platform for bringing Asian countries together through sports and celebrations, regardless of political disputes. Evidently, despite traditional tensions between Beijing and New Delhi, the 2023 games will host the largest-ever Indian delegation.

Read more: China supports participation of Russian athletes in sporting events

Taiwan will also participate in the major event, further highlighting Asiad's commitment to promote inclusivity. What's more interesting is that the DPRK is scheduled to face Taiwan in men's football on the first day.

The DPRK has 191 athletes signed up for the Asian Games, marking the country's willingness to end its more than three-year isolation from the global sporting arena.

Motto and Mascots

The Asian Games motto is "Ever Onward" which was designed and proposed by India's Guru Dutt Sondhi after the establishment of the Asian Games Federation. It is symbolized by a bright sun in red with 16 rays and a white circle in the middle of its disc, which represents the ever-shinning and warm spirit of the Asian nations.

  • sd
    Asiad's emblem with the games' motto "Ever Onward" written on it along with Thailaind's Bangkok 1966 representing the host country and what year the event took place (social media)

Having a mascot for multi-nation events like the Asian Games is a well-established tradition. However, this time, China has broken from the norm by introducing three mascots for the Games.

These mascots, named Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian, are robotic representations of Hangzhou's cultural heritage. According to the official website, these three mascots collectively go by the name 'Memories of Jiangnan,' which is inspired by a poem written by Bai Juyi.

Chenchen symbolizes the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, a World Heritage site, named after the Gongchen Bridge in Hangzhou. Chenchen connects the Grand Canal, the Qiantang River, and the wider world, represented by the color blue, signifying science and technology.

Meanwhile, Congcong, another mascot, represents the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, also a World Heritage site, taking its name from the Cong jade pendant. It embodies China's 5,000-year-old civilization, with the color yellow symbolizing a bountiful harvest. The mythical beast facial pattern on Congcong's head represents unwavering courage and self-improvement.

Lastly, Lianlian, the third mascot, represents the West Lake, another World Heritage site, named after the lush and abundant lotus leaves. In Chinese culture, lotus leaves are associated with purity, nobility, and peace. The green color of Lianlian signifies life, and the lotus leaf on its head alludes to the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon, a famous feature of the West Lake.

  • sd
    A woman stands next to a girl posing with Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian (from left to right), mascots of the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, in the Gongshu Canal Sports Park in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province, on Nov 9, 2021 (Xinhua)
  • Sports
  • Beijing
  • Hangzhou
  • China
  • Asian Games 2022

Most Read

The damaged building in the Katara neighborhood, Doha, Qatar, September 9, 2025 (Social media)

Hamas delegation survives Israeli assassination attempt in Qatar

  • Politics
  • 9 Sep 2025
Israeli police and rescue teams respond at the scene of a shooting attack where several people killed and injured in Jerusalem, Monday, Sept. 8, 2025 (AP)

Al-Quds shooting: 7 settlers killed, several critically injured

  • Politics
  • 8 Sep 2025
Pro-"Israel" conservative Charlie Kirk shot during Utah speech

Pro-'Israel' far-right Charlie Kirk shot dead during Utah speech

  • US & Canada
  • 11 Sep 2025
Damage sustained after a Yemeni drone exploded in Ramon Airport, southern occupied Palestine, Sunday, September 7, 2025 (Social Media)

Yemeni drone successfully hits Ramon Airport in southern Palestine

  • Politics
  • 7 Sep 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Palestinians run for cover during an Israeli military strike on a building in Gaza City, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Yousef Al Zanoun)
Politics

Israeli bombs kill 45 in Gaza as schools, homes targeted

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization
Palestine

Lapid: Egypt’s Arab Force plan a 'severe blow' to normalization

Hamas: Over one million in Gaza face ethnic cleansing
Palestine

Over one million in Gaza face ethnic cleansing: Palestinian Resistance

Head of the National Security Committee in Iran’s Parliament, MP Ebrahim Azizi. (Tasnim News Agency)
Politics

Iran parliament security chief: NPT exit on table if snapback invoked

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS