Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, centre, and his wife Asma al-Assad, wave to their country's athletes during their first official visit to China since 2004 ©Getty Images

Photos


Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledges the crowd before officially declaring the 19th edition of the Asian Games open ©Getty Images
Chinese President Xi Jinping acknowledges the crowd before officially declaring the 19th edition of the Asian Games open ©Getty Images


Afghan athletes were the first to participate in the Parade of Nations ©Getty Images
Afghan athletes were the first to participate in the Parade of Nations ©Getty Images


India participated in the Opening Ceremony against the background of tension betwen the country and China ©Getty Images
India participated in the Opening Ceremony against the background of tension betwen the country and China ©Getty Images


Almost 900 athletes are set to represent China at the Asian Games which will be the biggest in history ©Getty Images
Almost 900 athletes are set to represent China at the Asian Games which will be the biggest in history ©Getty Images


China's flag is carried into the venue as the country looks to stage the Asian Games for the third time after Beijing 1990 and Guangzhou 2010 ©Getty Images
China's flag is carried into the venue as the country looks to stage the Asian Games for the third time after Beijing 1990 and Guangzhou 2010 ©Getty Images


The Opening Ceremony was filled with colour and beautiful costumes to the delight of spectators ©Getty Images
The Opening Ceremony was filled with colour and beautiful costumes to the delight of spectators ©Getty Images


There were many historical references during Hangzhou's two-hour curtain-raiser ©Getty Images
There were many historical references during Hangzhou's two-hour curtain-raiser ©Getty Images


The Hangzhou 2022 mascot played a prominent role in the fun-filled show ©Getty Images
The Hangzhou 2022 mascot played a prominent role in the fun-filled show ©Getty Images


A giant digital Torchbearer joined China's Olympic swimming champion Wang Shun to light the Cauldron ©Getty Images
A giant digital Torchbearer joined China's Olympic swimming champion Wang Shun to light the Cauldron ©Getty Images