Hangzhou, China, April 26, 2023: The Hangzhou Asian Games will present a modern and dynamic China to the world, according to Malaysia’s Chef de Mission, Dato’ Chong Kim Fatt.
It’s not only the sports venues that have impressed him during the two-day Chefs de Mission Seminar ahead of the 19th Asian Games; it is also the efforts made to create a green and clean environment throughout the city that have caught the eye.
“It is very advanced. The government is very responsible for the people and the city,” said Dato’ Chong, Vice President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia.
“There is no air pollution. It is green and clean, and the city is well-designed with lots of flowers and trees.”
Dato’ Chong, who is also president of the wushu federation in Malaysia, said this attention to detail and focus on environmental concern could be seen in the design of the new China Hangzhou Esports Centre – one of the stops on the venue tour on Wednesday morning.
The venue, with a seating capacity of 4,087, will host seven events when esports makes its debut as an official medal sport at the 19th Asian Games.
“They have put a lot of thought into the design and combined sport and art with their efforts to create a green world. There is a wall inside the venue designed to reduce echo, and a natural ventilation system under each seat to bring in fresh air and the fragrance of the flowers from outside and reduce the use of air conditioning. It’s fantastic what they have done here, and I am very encouraged about our future,” he added.
This new, modern China is also reflected in the attitude of the volunteers, Dato’ Chong noted.
“The volunteers are all young people and speak good English. They always greet you with a smile and their attitude is positive. This is why I can really feel the slogan of the Asian Games – Heart to Heart, @Future – through the volunteers. They are the future of China.”
When asked if the environment was just a show for the Asian Games, which will run from September 23 to October 8, he replied emphatically: “It is not a show; it is their living style; it is 1,000 years of culture.”
The Wednesday morning tour also took in the Hangzhou Gymnasium for boxing, the Huanglong (Yellow Dragon) Sports Centre Stadium for football and Gymnasium for gymnastics, and the Binjiang Gymnasium for badminton.
