STORY: Hangzhou Asian Games to impress world with awe-inspiring opening ceremony
DATELINE: Sept. 22, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:05
LOCATION: HANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of stadiums of the Hangzhou Asian Games
2. various of the Hangzhou Asian Games torch relay
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SHA XIAOLAN, Chief producer of the Asian Games opening ceremony
4. various of the rehearsal of the Asian Games opening ceremony
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LENG SONG, Chief writer of the Asian Games opening ceremony
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LU CHUAN, Chief director of the Asian Games opening ceremony
7. various of stadiums of the Hangzhou Asian Games

STORYLINE:

With the Hangzhou Asian Games right around the corner, preparations have entered the final stretch.

According to organizers, around 50,000 participants will attend the opening ceremony Saturday, while more than 1,200 volunteers will be on hand to offer guidance and assistance.

The Hangzhou Asian Games torch relay has become the largest ever, due to the combination of virtual and physical worlds.

When the flame of the Games is ignited, digital torchbearers will collectively "light" it in the virtual realm.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): SHA XIAOLAN, Chief producer of 19th Asian Games opening ceremony
"With regard to how we can make the lighting of the torch unique this time, it has been a question our directing team has pondered for quite some time. Ultimately, we believe that we should return to the essence of sports, which, in my opinion, is about promoting physical fitness and well-being for all. Therefore, we asked ourselves if we could light the main torch in a way that maximizes public participation and reflects our sportsmanship. This led us to the idea of a group torch lighting ceremony."

Behind the scenes, staff members have been working hard to present a high-quality opening ceremony.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): LENG SONG, Chief writer of 19th Asian Games opening ceremony
"Behind the directing team for the opening ceremony, there are also 70 super special effects artists who are the unsung heroes working tirelessly day and night to create visual effects. In the end, through an innovative performance that combines human and screen interaction, there is a cross-cultural exchange between the East and West, as well as a combination of technology and art."

More than 12,000 athletes from 45 delegations of Asian countries and regions have signed up for the Hangzhou Asian Games, the largest number of applicants ever.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): LU CHUAN, Chief director of 19th Asian Games opening ceremony
"Rooted in Hangzhou, representing China, and embracing Asia, this is the essence of everything we do. We hope that the charm of Hangzhou can be conveyed to the world through this Asian Games."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Hangzhou, China.
(XHTV)