STORY: Thai official calls for promoting peace, unity through Hangzhou Asian Games
DATELINE: Aug. 27, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:23
LOCATION: Bangkok
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of Thai Olympic Committee office
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): CHAROEN WATTANASIN, Vice president of Thai Olympic Committee
3. various of Thailand Table Tennis National Team training
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Thai): CHAROEN WATTANASIN, Vice president of Thai Olympic Committee
5. various of Thailand national sepak takraw team training
6. various of Hangzhou city

STORYLINE:

A senior Thai Olympic Committee official said the upcoming Asian Games in Hangzhou will serve as an important platform to promote peace and friendship in Asia.
   
Charoen Wattanasin, vice president of the Thai Olympic Committee, told Xinhua in a recent interview that over the years the Asian Games have evolved into a vital conduit for promoting peaceful exchanges between countries and regions.
   
Charoen said he firmly believes that sports should serve as a bridge to promote unity and friendship.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Thai): CHAROEN WATTANASIN, Vice president of Thai Olympic Committee
"It's very important to strengthen peaceful relations among nations in today's global landscape. The characteristic of the Asian Games is that all participating countries have equal status. Over the years, the Asian Games have consistently garnered attention from people not only in Asia but also around the world. I remember the joint march of athletes from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea at the opening ceremony of the 2002 Busan Asian Games. Sports could be a tool for peaceful conflict resolution."

Charoen lauded China's expertise in hosting major sports events, which has raised expectations for the forthcoming 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou.
   
He also expressed his fondness for the slogan of the Hangzhou Asian Games.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Thai): CHAROEN WATTANASIN, Vice president of Thai Olympic Committee
"'Heart to Heart, @Future,' conveys the importance of sincere interaction and mutual understanding, as well as the enduring journey towards the future."

The 19th Asian Games will be held in China's Hangzhou from September 23 to October 8, 2023.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Bangkok.
(XHTV)