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Inspired by Guangzhou, HK plans for 2023 bids

By Andrea Deng (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-09-26 09:09

A boy from Hong Kong holds a mascot and the flag of the 16th Asian Games during a day of celebration about Guangzhou's upcoming Asiad in Hong Kong on Saturday. [Photo/China Daily]

HONG KONG - Hong Kong hosted a series of events on Saturday to celebrate the upcoming Asian Games in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

The 16th Asian Games, which begins on Nov 12, is ready to launch after concerted efforts from municipal and provincial governments. The excitement has apparently spread from the host city to Hong Kong, though, which is only a two-hour train ride from Guangzhou.

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"Guangzhou has its own cultural characteristics, many of which Hong Kong shares in common," said Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong and vice-president of the Olympic Council of Asia, adding that the imminent Asiad will strengthen the Hong Kong people's understanding of their close relative.

"Hong Kong is a city where both Western and Chinese culture converge, thus it should be an effective and ideal place to advertise the approaching Asian Games," said Huang Tiecheng, head of the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the Guangzhou Municipal Government.

Speeches and a gathering of delegates from the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee as well as Lin Yuanhe, head of the Overseas Chinese, Taiwan, Hong Kong & Macao Affairs Office, and representatives in Hong Kong took place at the famous Star Ferry Pier, with the delegates arriving by ferry as a form of celebration.

Hong Kong plans to apply to host the 19th Asian Games in 2023. It would be the third city to hold the Asiad in China, following Beijing and Guangzhou, if the city stands out among the other applicants.

"Today's events are aimed at promoting sports among ordinary Hong Kong people. While we hope Guangzhou will successfully hold the Asian Games, we also hope that Hong Kong will successfully apply for the Asian Games," Huang said.

Saturday's events included a parade of buses decorated with colorful banners, driving from the Star Ferry Pier to Sha Tin Racecourse, which hosted another event targeted at children in Hong Kong.

Primary school students put on a display that included an orchestral performance, gymnastics, a magic show and assorted dances, among them hip hop and Latin. Around 700 youngsters from Guangzhou and Hong Kong also sang the theme song of the Guangzhou Asian Games.

Hong Kong-based non-governmental organizations were also on hand to educate children about the danger of drugs through competitions, including drawing and composition.

China Daily