China’s eastern city of Hangzhou has increased security measures ahead of the Asian Games opening ceremony, which is set to be attended by President Xi Jinping. Roads in a designated traffic control area around the Olympic stadium have been blocked off, a metro station has been closed, and other Games centers have been restricted. Despite the anticipation of a mesmerizing opening ceremony, some residents have expressed frustration with the size of the sealed off area, suggesting that organizers may be overly nervous. The Hangzhou government has invested over 200 billion yuan ($30 billion) in transport infrastructure, stadiums, accommodation, and other facilities for the Games.
The quadrennial Games, delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will be China’s largest sporting event in over a decade. More than 12,000 athletes from 45 nations will compete in 40 sports. However, interest in the Games has been muted domestically, with concerns about the economy and the cost of hosting the event. Organizers hope that a high-tech opening ceremony will generate excitement. According to Sha Xiaolan, the chief director for the opening ceremony, the event will feature a combination of naked-eye 3D visual effects and virtual imagery to showcase the beauty of mountains and rivers.
Volunteers in Hangzhou have welcomed arriving journalists with smiles, expressing relief that the event is finally commencing. The official slogan of the Games, ‘Heart to Heart, @Future,’ aims to unite the people and countries of Asia. However, geopolitical tensions and rivalries have threatened to overshadow this effort. President Xi Jinping’s call for the West to lift sanctions on Syria and his offer to assist in the country’s reconstruction have drawn attention. Additionally, India has strongly protested a visa issue affecting three of its athletes, leading to the cancellation of the Indian sports minister’s trip. Japan has also expressed concerns about the safety of its nationals in China due to the release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea.
In conclusion, Hangzhou has implemented heightened security measures for the Asian Games opening ceremony, which is expected to be attended by President Xi Jinping. The city has sealed off a designated traffic control area and closed certain transportation and Games centers. The Hangzhou government has invested significantly in infrastructure and facilities for the Games. Despite the delay and concerns about the economy and cost, the Games will be China’s largest sporting event in over a decade, featuring thousands of athletes from various nations. The opening ceremony aims to generate excitement through high-tech visual effects. However, geopolitical tensions and rivalries have emerged as potential challenges. President Xi Jinping’s statements on Syria and India’s visa issue have drawn attention, while Japan has expressed concerns about the safety of its nationals in China.
