Do you still remember?, The Stories Hidden in the Asian Games Slogans: Beijing | Asian Games | Stories

Editor's note:

Heart to heart fusion, love for the future. The 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou will be unveiled on September 23rd. At the opening of the grand event, China News Network has launched the "Asian Games Eight Questions" series of planning, inviting you to participate in this "future" event together.

Beijing, September 16th (Xinhua) - From Beijing to Guangzhou, and then to Hangzhou, the Asian Games, the most influential comprehensive event in Asia, is about to be unveiled in China for the third time. As an important carrier for spreading the spirit of the Asian Games, those well-known Asian Games slogans not only witness the vigorous development of Chinese sports, but also contain the memories of the Chinese people spanning 33 years of the Asian Games.

Unity, friendship, progress

In 1990, after the reform and opening up, China welcomed its first comprehensive international event - the Beijing Asian Games. Even today, more than thirty years later, many witnesses still vividly remember the September of that year and cannot forget it. In Song Xingzhou's eyes, the impact of the Beijing Asian Games on him is greater and deeper than that of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

That year, Song Xingzhou, in his prime, had just gotten married and started a family, full of infinite imagination and longing for life. He is a table tennis enthusiast who loves sports and has a small reputation in his hometown county. In that era where entertainment was not yet developed, the constant back and forth on the table, sweating profusely, was the greatest pleasure that Song Xingzhou could enjoy.

Beijing is hosting the Asian Games, and Song Xingzhou's greatest wish is to watch a table tennis match live. "At that time, the conditions were limited and transportation was not very convenient, so I couldn't go and see the grandeur of the Asian Games." Recalling the situation at that time, Song Xingzhou's words were full of regret.

After a long period of hesitation and repeated discussions with his wife, Song Xingzhou finally decided to spend 2000 yuan to purchase a "Spring Bamboo Brand" color TV.

Through this color TV, Song Xingzhou witnessed the Asian Games torch being lit at the Workers' Stadium, learned to sing Liu Huan and Wei Wei's performance of "Asian Mighty Wind", remembered the slogan of the Beijing Asian Games "Unity, Friendship, Progress", and also met the adorable mascot panda "Panpan"

Through the broadcast footage, Song Xingzhou had the privilege of witnessing Deng Yaping, who was only 17 years old at the time, win three gold medals and always remember that the Chinese delegation won 183 gold medals, ranking first

That year, the enthusiasm and pride of the entire nation were ignited by the Beijing Asian Games. In the slogan of "unity, friendship, and progress", China declares to the world that we have come.

Come together, more exciting

In the first decade of the new century, China joined the World Trade Organization, and its economic development has been advancing rapidly. The wealthy Chinese people have become more confident in handling international sports events.

After the Beijing Asian Games, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games came to China for the second time: 42 major events were the largest in the Asian Games at that time, and the first Asian Paralympic Games was held

The numerous Asian Games heritage sites have become an important component of Guangzhou's urban development, showcasing the achievements and brilliance of China's reform and opening up.

That year, Wang Doudou, who was studying at Sun Yat sen University, was fortunate enough to become a volunteer performer for the Guangzhou Asian Games. She still remembers the scene where her classmates enthusiastically registered, "At that time, it was also my first time living in Guangzhou, and I felt that the opportunity was very rare and meaningful."

Although it has been more than ten years since then, Wang Doudou still remembers the slogan of the Guangzhou Asian Games, "Come together, more exciting". She believes that these six words are the best description of her Asian Games experience.

According to Wang Doudou's recollection, the school gymnasium is one of the competition venues, and there are countless Asian Games elements on campus. Wang Doudou worked hard to rehearse for a long time in order to perform at the opening ceremony. And there are still many people like her, everyone is striving for a common goal in their hearts.

Hard work pays off to those who have a heart. The opening ceremony, named "Invitation to Flower City," presented a beautiful and fantastical visual feast. Haixinsha Island has been transformed into a poised Eastern giant ship, just like China at that time, riding the wind and waves.

Heart to heart integration, @ future

After 33 years, Hangzhou became the third Chinese city to host the Asian Games, following Beijing and Guangzhou.

If the Beijing Asian Games opened a window for the world to understand China, then the Guangzhou Asian Games showcased the development and tremendous changes of Eastern powers after 20 years. Now, the Hangzhou Asian Games will make the world feel the pulse of China's new era.

"Heart to heart integration, @ future" is not just a slogan. As a city at the forefront of the Internet, Hangzhou will use 5G, the Internet of Things, big data and other high-tech technologies to insert "smart wings" for the Asian Games.

The Hangzhou Asian Games are approaching, and retired Song Xingzhou has planned to drive with his spouse to Hangzhou. He will go to the Qiantang River to experience the atmosphere of the Asian Games and make up for the regret of more than 30 years ago. Wang Doudou, who has graduated for many years, will once again visit the Asian Games as a staff member. She said, "I will pay attention to the children who performed at the opening ceremony. Their emotions may be the same as mine 13 years ago. From Beijing to Guangzhou, and then to Hangzhou, I will also feel the new development and changes in Chinese sports with my heart."