STORY: Syrian officials express enthusiasm for upcoming Asian Games in China
DATELINE: Sept. 18, 2023
LENGTH: 00:01:11
LOCATION: Damascus
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the venues of Hangzhou Asian Games
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian Assistant Foreign Minister
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): EMAD MUSTAFA, Former Syrian Ambassador to China
4. various of the venues of Hangzhou Asian Games

STORYLINE:

The 19th Asian Games will take place in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.

Syrian officials have expressed their enthusiasm for the upcoming games.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Arabic): AYMAN SOUSAN, Syrian Assistant Foreign Minister
"We warmly welcome China's hosting of these sporting events (the Asian Games) aimed at bringing Asian peoples closer together, and there is no one better than China to fulfill this role because China treats everyone with respect and wishes prosperity for all."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Arabic): EMAD MUSTAFA, Former Syrian Ambassador to China 
"We believe that China will once again dazzle the world with excellent organization and highly successful games. We wish all athletes, whether from Syria, other countries, or Chinese athletes, outstanding success, and best wishes to the great China."

The 19th Asian Games is set to be the largest edition ever, with 12,500 athletes from 45 countries and regions competing in 40 sports, 61 disciplines, and 481 events.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Damascus.
(XHTV)