Photo taken on Sept. 16, 2023 shows a view of the Hangzhou Asian Games Village in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province. (Xinhua/Huang Zongzhi)
HANGZHOU, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- The 19th Asian Games, to open in China's eastern city of Hangzhou on Saturday, has been the focus of the lenses of foreign media workers, who view the event as an opportunity to have a closer look at China.
By Sept. 20, more than 11,000 reporters from various countries and regions had registered for the coverage of the event, which will be held in Hangzhou and five other cities in Zhejiang Province until Oct. 8.
Sound organization, comprehensive preparation and considerate services -- these phrases have been repeatedly mentioned by media workers based in the games village, about a 10-minute drive from the main media center.
Photographer Seungkwan Yoo from the Republic of Korea particularly thumbed up for the transportation services. "I have no worries even if I stay late at the media center, because the shuttle buses back to the games village are operating around the clock."
Yoo also thanked the volunteers both in the games village and at the media center for their hospitality and help. Official data shows that about 37,600 volunteers are on duty during the games, providing assistance in translation, communication and medical services, among others.
"China has successfully hosted both Summer and Winter Olympics and is very experienced in organizing large-scale sports events. There is no doubt it will stage a wonderful Asian Games," said Ali Al-Najafi, a TV reporter from Qatar.
With more than 12,000 athletes competing in 40 sports, the Hangzhou games has set records in both numbers of participants and events in the history of the Asian Games. The event has also drawn media workers from countries outside Asia, including Britain, Italy and Australia.
Canadian journalist Alan George Adams said compared with his last trip to Hangzhou for swimming championship coverage in December 2018, he saw great changes brought to the city by technological progress.
New energy vehicles can be seen everywhere, which are less noisy while more energy-efficient and eco-friendly, said Adams, who also hailed the mobile payment services widely used in Hangzhou, home to China's internet giant Alibaba.
Having been in the city for about a week, Iranian journalist Mohamad Sabzalijamaat has managed to set aside some time to explore the city and experience the local life.
He is impressed with the notable changes that have taken place in China since he first visited the country a decade ago. "I can feel that the Chinese people enjoy a higher quality of life and are more international now."
Looking forward to the opening ceremony and events of the Asiad, foreign guests are eager to see a spectacular competition.
"I have always wanted to come to China. Thanks to the Hangzhou games, I realized my dream this time," said Essa Abdullah Aldobaisi, a photojournalist from Saudi Arabia.
