Hangzhou, China, February 23, 2022: A thousand drones lit up the night sky over West Lake in a spectacular display as a series of celebrations to mark the 200-day countdown to the 19th Asian Games was
launched in Hangzhou on Monday, February 21.
A day after the closing ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, it was the turn of Hangzhou to grab centre stage.
“We have about 70,000 to 80,000 staff and volunteers so we’ll hold the biggest Asian Games in its history. The Beijing Winter Olympics just ended and set a very good example for us so we are looking forward to
it,” said Chen Weiqiang, Hangzhou 2022 deputy secretary general and Vice Mayor of Hangzhou.
To mark the 200-day countdown, the Hangzhou 2022 Organising Committee released a tailored official jade seal and stamps, plus souvenirs for the volunteers.
Among the well-wishers who sent warm wishes to Hangzhou 2022 was shooter Yang Qian, double gold medallist at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
In the evening, the sky over West Lake district in Hangzhou was lit up by about 1,000 drones which put on a remarkable light show plus a music performance attracting thousands of citizens to join in the
celebrations.
The snowflakes of the Beijing Winter Olympics, the landscape of West Lake and the natural landmarks of Hangzhou were all depicted by the drones in a superb exhibition of technology and science.
Five co-host cities, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Huzhou, Shaoxing and Jinhua, also held a variety of sports and cultural countdown activities for the 19th Asian Games, which will be held from September 10-25, 2022.
Photos: Hangzhou 2022
