Chinese President Xi Jinping to grace Asian Games opening ceremony in Hangzhou

Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to attend the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, which will take place from September 22 to 23. During his visit, President Xi will also hold a welcome banquet and engage in bilateral activities with visiting foreign leaders, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

The opening ceremony will see the presence of leaders from various countries, including Syria, Nepal, South Korea, and Malaysia. Notably, President Bashar al-Assad of Syria is among the attendees, marking his first visit to China since the start of the Syrian conflict in 2011. Other leaders from friendly nations such as Cambodia, Kuwait, and Nepal will also participate.

Postponement and policy shift:

Originally scheduled for September the previous year, the Asian Games were postponed due to China's strict zero-Covid policy. However, the Chinese Communist Party later abandoned this policy, leading to the rescheduled event.

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A gathering of diverse nations:

The 19th edition of the Asian Games serves as a unifying platform for athletes from 45 countries and territories across Asia and the Middle East. The Games, which had their inaugural edition in New Delhi in 1951, foster friendly competition and cultural exchange among participating nations.

President Xi's attendance at the opening ceremony not only underscores China's commitment to hosting the event but also provides an opportunity for diplomatic engagement and international collaboration, particularly in the context of the diverse array of leaders from different regions coming together to celebrate sports and cooperation in Hangzhou.

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