On the morning of September 8, the Hangzhou Asian Games torch relay was officially launched.

The flame of civilization collected in Liangzhu starts from Yongjin Park Square by the West Lake, and will be passed on in 11 cities in Zhejiang by 2,022 torchbearers. The torch will return to Hangzhou on September 20 to welcome the solemn moment of the grand opening of the Hangzhou Asian Games. The first torchbearer is Luo Xuejuan, the swimming champion of the 2004 Athens Olympics.

The torch was relayed 106 times in Hangzhou, ending at the viewing point of Pinghu Qiuyue. In the following days, the Asian Games torch will be passed in Huzhou, Jiaxing, Shaoxing, Ningbo, Zhoushan, Taizhou, Wenzhou, Lishui, Jinhua, and Quzhou before returning to Hangzhou on September 20.

The relay of the Asian Games torch is undoubtedly the best opportunity to show the image of the city. During the torch relay in 11 cities in Zhejiang, the profound historical and cultural heritage and beautiful natural scenery of Zhejiang cities will be fully displayed, which will invisibly enhance the city's popularity and bring positive impact to local economic and social development.

The 19th Asian Games also launched the Asian Games Digital Torchbearer, with more than 80 million people participating so far. At the opening ceremony on September 23, the lighting of the main torch will be completed in the form of "digital and real integration", creating the first digital lighting ceremony in the history of the Asian Games.

Author: Zhao Lei

Photo: Ni Yanqiang, Xu Yan

Editor: Tan Qikuan