Passengers pass by an Asian Games-themed train model on display at the Hangzhou East Railway Station in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province on September 20, 2023. The 19th Asian Games will be held in Hangzhou from Saturday to October 8. Photo: VCG

As all the preparation work has been done for the operation of venues and events, the Hangzhou Asian Games welcomed its highest daily influx of inbound visitors related to the Games on Thursday. A total of 20,000 to 30,000 people are expected to enter the city of Hangzhou in East China's Zhejiang Province during the Games.

According to the Hangzhou border inspection station, more than 3,200 personnel from 35 countries and regions including Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, Nepal, Malaysia and Laos were expected to arrive at the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport on Thursday. As the official entry and exit port for the Hangzhou Asian Games, the airport has welcomed more than 10,000 athletes, coaches, members of the Olympic Committee, technical officials and media reporters since September 9.

At the Hangzhou East Railway Station, Global Times reporters were guided by clear signs from the moment of arrival. Asian Games staff and volunteers provided guidance from the train platform, helping participants in the Games to complete their ID registration in advance at the train station and to follow the special channel to board the bus to the Asian Games Village.

The Asian Games village, along with five Asian Games sub-villages and three athlete hotels, officially opened on Saturday. More than 5,000 athletes from 45 countries and regions including China, Japan and South Korea have checked in the villages so far, said Hangzhou Asian Games Chief Spokesperson Chen Weiqiang at a press conference on Thursday.

At the entrance of the Asian Games Village, document sensors and face recognition guaranteed fast and safe entry and exit. Guided by the enthusiastic staff, Global Times reporters went to the registration center to complete the check-in and took the shuttle bus to the apartments. In the apartments, hand-painted drawings and cards from the staff greeted everyone coming to the Asian Games.

The shuttle buses, which run every 10 minutes almost all day, seamlessly connect the Asian Games Village to the venues.

According to Chen, Hangzhou will provide more than 30,000 athletes, team officials, technical officials and media personnel with services and support including accommodation, catering, transportation, cultural activities, technology, medical assistance and commercial services during the Games.

A staff member of the Asian Games Village told the Global Times at the media village on Thursday that since the village opened for reception on September 16, journalists from about 60 to 70 media outlets have checked in every day.

"We expect to receive journalists of more than 100 media outlets registering into the village every day for the next three days," she said. "Although the pressure may increase, we are confident we can successfully complete this first phase of reception."

The staffer added that media reporters and technicians from all countries and regions in Asia are staying in the nearby areas of the village, and there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to meet with each other.

Currently, 54 competition venues and 30 training venues for the Asian Games are ready for the events. The work teams responsible for the competition equipment and facilities are also ready. 

The opening ceremony team has made plans for possible extreme weather conditions. Some of the performances could be shortened or canceled if light rain affects safety. If the meteorological authority predicts that weather conditions unsuitable for outdoor activities, the opening ceremony will be moved indoors to the basketball stadium.

Two college students who work as volunteers at the Main Media Center shared with the Global Times on Thursday their excitement for the upcoming Games. They said all the staff and volunteers have worked hard for quite a long time to prepare for the Games, and they wish the athletes and guests from all countries can make breakthroughs at the events, as well as hang around the streets and lanes in Hangzhou to enjoy the city's refreshing landscape and unique culture.

The Hangzhou Asian Games may be more competitive and enjoyable than previous iterations as many events have been confirmed as qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics, said Chen. Participating countries and regions have sent high-level athletes, even Olympic champions, to compete in the games.

"This is my first time participating in the Asian Games. I'd like to make it as far as possible. Hopefully, top eight and a medal will be good. I'm ready to experience the whole competition and see the amazing fencers," said Wang Jiemin, an 18-year-old fencing athlete from the Singapore delegation who began fencing in a school sports program when she was 10.

Wang said she has been to China twice and Chinese food and culture make her feel at home. 

"I really enjoy China, because the food and culture is really similar to ours. It's not foreign but like home."

"All of our athletes have made full preparations for the game. In the past five years, they have made full efforts," said Choi Yoon, head of the South Korean delegation to the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Choi said the young South Korean athletes, who are coming to China for the first time, liked China's astonishing development, and hope Chinese people can support the South Korea delegation during the Games.