On September 23, 2023, the Qiantang River witnessed the launch of a grand sports event, a gathering of Asian athletes striving for a better future. The 19th Asian Games kicked off in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province with a grand opening ceremony. President Xi Jinping attended it and declared the Asian Games open.

Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and leaders and dignitaries from various Asian countries attended the opening ceremony.

Against the backdrop of the dark sky at night, the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium on the bank of the Qiantang River was ablaze with brilliant dazzling lights. This lotus-shaped building witnessed the third ignition of the Asian Games flame in China.

Before the opening ceremony, people from all over Zhejiang Province presented cultural and artistic performances with local characteristics that passionately illuminated the ambiance on the site.

At 7:58 p.m., with the tune of "Peace – a Community with a Shared Future", Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with Acting President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Raja Randhir Singh and President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach, among others, stepped onto the podium and waved to the audience, drawing prolonged warm applause from them.

The day of September 23 was the Autumn Equinox, also known as Qiufen on the Chinese lunar calendar. At 8:00 p.m. sharp, the welcoming performance "Water on Autumn Glory" was staged amidst the vehement drum sound from 19 "Water Jade Cong" instruments. The countdown at the center of the venue was echoed by loud shouts from the audience. Pictures of jade Cong, jade birds, divine emblems and ancient city ruins emerged on the ground screen, turning from verdant to green, showing the natural trajectory from spring plowing to autumn harvest, and highlighting the grandeur of Liangzhu civilization and the beauty of golden harvest.

The stage presents a magnificent scene of gorgeous rivers and mountains. As a red silk carpet was rolled out amid the touching melody of "I Love You, China", eight honor guards walked into the venue with firm steps, escorting the national flag of the People's Republic of China (PRC). All the audience stood up and sang the national anthem of the PRC loudly. The five-star red flag was raised slowly, fluttering in the wind.

The entry ceremony of athletes kicked off at 8:09 p.m. Amidst the lively music "Our Asia", the sports delegations from 45 Asian countries and regions entered the venue one after another and received the heartfelt welcome from the audience. The sports delegation of China as the host country finally entered amidst the passionate melody of "Ode to the Motherland". Xi Jinping stood up and waved to them, and the stadium was filled with cheers and applause. The Chinese delegation totally has 1,329 members including 886 athletes to compete in 407 minor events of 38 major events at this Asian Games. 

In his speech, President of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (HAGOC) and Governor of Zhejiang Province Wang Hao, on behalf of the organizing committee and the 65 million people in Zhejiang, extended warmest welcome to athletes from different countries and regions across Asia, and wished them an unforgettable time at the Hangzhou Asian Games, achieving good results in competition, realizing dreams and gaining friendship and happiness.

HAGOC President and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) Gao Zhidan said, "Thanks to the kind care and firm leadership of President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government, a magnificent Asian Games will open soon. Let us carry forward the Olympic spirit, strive to set new sports records in Asia, and jointly write a new chapter of the Asian community with a shared future." 

Raja Randhir Singh, Acting President of the OCA, expressed his sincerest respect to the Chinese government, the COC, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, the Hangzhou Municipal Government, the HAGOC, the citizens of Hangzhou and all those involved in the preparation work, saying they have done a fantastic job in preparing for the Asian Games. He expressed the belief that everyone participating in the Hangzhou Asian Games will be rewarded with a most unforgettable memory.

The opening ceremony reached its climax at 9:16 p.m. when President Xi Jinping declared the 19th Hangzhou Asian Games open! Upon this, the audience erupted in cheers and applause, and the sky was lit up with glamorous "digital fireworks".

Eight excellent representatives of Chinese athletes and coaches entered, holding the flag of the OCA. Amid the anthem of the OCA, the flag slowly rose and fluttered high alongside the Chinese five-star red flag.

Athletes Zheng Siwei and Sun Yingsha, and referees Yang Zhongmin and Gao Jiaqi respectively took the oath on behalf of all participating athletes and referees.

As the lights dimmed, a short video "Meeting Hangzhou" turned the attention of all the audience to the big screen, which showed the emblem of the Hangzhou Asian Games, passed between different generations, traveled through time to send a cordial invitation to the world.

It was then followed by the gala performance "Tides Surging in Asia" comprising three chapters. In Chapter 1 "Timeless Grace", a young man in traditional attire painted on the ground and danced on ink patterns; the Song-style girls presented the grace and beauty of the East; the panoramic stereoscopic images of the Gongchen Bridge stood above the Grand Canal with shuttling boats and dotted lights, showcasing the prosperous scene of the Qiantang River area and the charm of  Jiangnan -- the region south of the Yangtze River -- through the ages. In Chapter 2 "Tidal Bore of the Qiantang River", the hovering actors danced with the tide, the "wave riders" joined the tide under the sails while the mascot "Memories of Jiangnan" jumped out of the tide to inspire the sports tide with utmost vitality. In Chapter 3 "Together Towards the Future", the "Egret Elf" was flying in the starry sea. With the melodious singing of the Yue Opera, hundreds of university students holding glowing golden osmanthus, formed the "Golden Osmanthus River". Landmark buildings from different countries and regions in Asia were presented together to form an Asian chapter featuring respective beauty but harmony of coexistence. The audience were deeply moved by the fabulous performances.

At 9:53 p.m., the lighting of the cauldron ceremony began. The flame of the Asian Games, collected from the relics site of Liangzhu Ancient City and relayed across Zhejiang since September 8, ultimately arrived at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium.

Six torchbearers, namely Ye Shiwen, Fan Zhendong, Xu Mengtao, Shi Zhiyong, Li Lingwei, and Wang Shun ran the torch relay amidst warm applause. At the same time, the "digital torchbearer" composed of over 100 million people participating in the digital torch relay was displayed on the big screen, running and holding the torch high. The cauldron tower named "Qiantang River Tide" slowly opened. All eyes were on Wang Shun, the last torchbearer, who ignited the cauldron tower together with the "digital torchbearer". The Asian Games flame burst into a blaze.

"It's the home that we love. From our hearts, love grows", "A million voices full of pride, Sing it loud and clear, We are all here in Asia" … All the audience sang the official song "The Love We Share together", turning the entire stadium into a sea of joy.

The international dignitaries attending the opening ceremony included King of Cambodia Norodom Sihamoni, President of Syria Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad, Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister of Nepal Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea Han Duck-soo, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat of Malaysia Johari Bin Abdul and his wife Puan Sri Noraini Mohd, and the Sultan of Brunei's representative Prince Haji Sufri Bolkiah, the Emir of Qatar's representative Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, Prince Faisal bin Hussein of Jordan, and Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya of Thailand, among other royal family representatives.

Wang Yi, Li Ganjie, He Lifeng, Wang Xiaohong and Shen Yiqin attended the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka Chiu, Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Ho Iat Seng and former Chairperson of the Chinese Kuomintang party Hung Hsiu-chu.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the OCA officials, among others.