STORY: Vlog: Hangzhou Asian Games in foreign journalists' eyes
DATELINE: Sept. 23, 2023
LENGTH: 00:03:26
LOCATION: HANGZHOU, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Main Media Center of the 19th Asian Games
2. various of Hangzhou
3. STANDUP 1 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
4. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANDREW CHARLES RICHARDSON, Journalist at Al Jazeera English TV
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ELEANOR REBECCA ADAMS, Commentator for the host broadcaster
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NURFARIHA ABDUL RAZAK, Commentator for Malaysian TV channel Astro Arena
7. SOUNDBITE 4 (English): TUAN DAT NGUYEN, Photographer at Vietnamese sports outlet Webthethao.vn
8. SOUNDBITE 5 (English): ANDREW CHARLES RICHARDSON, Journalist at Al Jazeera English TV
9. SOUNDBITE 6 (English): ELEANOR REBECCA ADAMS, Commentator for the host broadcaster
10. SOUNDBITE 7 (English): NURFARIHA ABDUL RAZAK, Commentator for Malaysian TV channel Astro Arena
11. SOUNDBITE 8 (English): TUAN DAT NGUYEN, Photographer at Vietnamese sports outlet Webthethao.vn

STORYLINE:

The 19th Asian Games opens on Saturday.

More than just a mass sporting gathering, the highly-anticipated event has garnered media attention, attracting many media professionals worldwide.

You might be curious about the services and amenities at their disposal.

STANDUP 1 (English): YU JIAMING, Xinhua correspondent
"I'm now at the Main Media Center (MMC), a comprehensive hub designed to cater to their every need from a fully equipped medical station to a convenient bookstore and even a post office. All are arranged to ensure swift and efficient services for those covering the Games.
Soon, I'll meet some of these dedicated professionals. I can't wait to hear what they will say about this awesome host city and their expectations for the Games."

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): ANDREW CHARLES RICHARDSON, Journalist at Al Jazeera English TV
"I'm a reporter for Al Jazeera English TV, which is based in Qatar, which will be hosting the Asian Games in 2030. So we're here to get a flavor of what these games will be like.
We've just got to Hangzhou, so we're just getting organized. So far everything has been very smooth and everyone has been very helpful."

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): ELEANOR REBECCA ADAMS, Commentator for the host broadcaster
"I'm working for the host broadcaster, providing commentary for broadcasters around the world.
This is my first time in this city (Hangzhou). My first impressions are that it's a very big city compared to the cities that we have in the UK. It's very futuristic. It's very clean. It's very modern, really impressive. Everything is perfect. Everyone was very friendly, very welcoming. "

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NURFARIHA ABDUL RAZAK, Commentator for Malaysian TV channel Astro Arena
"I'm from Malaysia and I'm working for Astro Arena. I haven't been to Hangzhou before. The services are all very convenient, for example, like the shuttle bus and also all the services like the food and the room itself. I think it's very spacious for everyone of the media agency that comes here."

SOUNDBITE 4 (English): TUAN DAT NGUYEN, Photographer at Vietnamese sports outlet Webthethao.vn
"I'm a photographer from Vietnam. I'm working for the sports website Webthethao.vn. I was very impressed about the big event. I mean everything, the whole thing. Firstly, the Main Media Center is huge, modern. And it's very convenient to work in. Secondly, I'm impressed with the dining room. I'm so excited to be here in China to cover the Asian Games. I love the city. Hangzhou is a combination of the modern and the traditional."

These media practitioners believe Hangzhou will wow the world with a spectacular Asian Games.

SOUNDBITE 5 (English): ANDREW CHARLES RICHARDSON, Journalist at Al Jazeera English TV
"We're expecting a huge event. We're looking forward to enjoying the region, enjoying the people and enjoying the sports."

SOUNDBITE 6 (English): ELEANOR REBECCA ADAMS, Commentator for the host broadcaster
"I will be commenting on tennis and badminton. I'm looking forward to seeing all the athletes (competing in) very high-quality fields in both tennis and badminton."

SOUNDBITE 7 (English): NURFARIHA ABDUL RAZAK, Commentator for Malaysian TV channel Astro Arena
"I've been to Chengdu before for the Universiade. It's beyond my expectations. Chengdu did very well. And I'm sure Hangzhou will do it even bigger and even better."

SOUNDBITE 8 (English): TUAN DAT NGUYEN, Photographer at Vietnamese sports outlet Webthethao.vn
"I want to wish Hangzhou, and China, the host of the Asian Games that this will be a very successful event. You can wow the world with both cultural and traditional performances, the hospitality, the food and everything."

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