Officials launch a 1,000-day countdown on Dec 15 to the opening of the 19th Asian Games to be held in Hangzhou in 2022. [Photo/zj.zjol.com]

The 1,000-day countdown to the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games, to be held in Hangzhou in 2022, was celebrated in Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jinhua, Shaoxing, and Huzhou on Dec 15.

The games' organizing committee announced the slogan "heart to heart, @future", and launched a public activity entitled "Looking for 2,022 Asian Games dreams".

The plenary session of the fourth executive committee of the 19th Asian Games was held later that day.

Gou Zhongwen, director of the General Administration of Sport, recognized the achievements the organizing committee has made over the past year and said that the 19th Asian Games and 4th Asian Para Games should contribute to the "fitness for all" national strategy, improve competitive sporting events, promote the sports industry and culture, and strengthen sports-related exchange with foreign countries, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan.

Gou added that the administration will continue to help Hangzhou with the arrangement of events and venues, promotion, technical support, and market development.

Yuan Jiajun, governor of Zhejiang province, urged all departments and regions to strengthen coordination in the construction and operation of venues and in building a set of supporting facilities, particularly intelligent facilities.

Zhou Changkui, Party chief of the China Disabled Persons' Federation, expressed hope that the 4th Asian Para Games in 2022 would provide Hangzhou with an opportunity to improve its urban development and management, create a more civilized society, and provide better support for the disabled.