Asian Games 2023 opening ceremony Highlights: Prez Jinping declares Games open during glittery evening in Hangzhou

The opening ceremony of the 19th edition of the Asian Games ends with a musicial performance.

It was one of the finest spectacle combined with both technology and tradition.

The digital torch bearer arrive in the arena and along with the other athletes, they light up the cauldron.

Chinese athletes arrive in the middle with a flaming torch for the torch lighting ceremony. Artificial intelligence continue to mesmerise as we also see a digital torch bearer running with the torch across the city.

A large group performs with pom pom forming a circle, while a small group of children sing. We have another set of artists, who are dancing in the middle.

After the traditional dance forms, China showcases their advancement in technology, creating images of different sporting arenas which left the audience amazed.

We have a beautiful dance performance, following which there is an exhibition of China's rich art form. It starts with an artist trying to paint a picture on the canvas before moving to another display of elegant dance form.

Following the flag hoisting of the OCA flag, two Chinese athletes take the oath.

Now we have a promotional video of China's rich culture being played on the big screen.

The OCA flag is being taken to flag post, following which everyone present in the arena is requested to stand for the hoisting of the flag.

Chinese president Xi Jinping officially declares the start of Asian Games.

The acting president of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Randhir Singh addresses the crowd. He addresses the crowd in English, which also feature a bit of Chinese phrashes, triggering huge roars from crowd.

The flag bearers have assembled at the center of the stadium as Wang Hao, president of the 19th Asian Games, addresses the crowd.

Qin Haiyang and Yang Liwei were China's flag-bearers. They have fielded a 887-member contingent for the continental showdown.

And with that we are done with the different contingent marching out with their respective flags.

Wang Hao, the president of the 19th Asian Games, addresses the crowd in Chinese.

Vietnam walkout in red and grey, followed by Yemen.

We now have the hosts China, marching out to the loudest roar from the crowd. The contingent is dressed up in Blue blazers. The spectators are loving every bit of it, and so are the athletes.

Several other participating nations have marched out in their traditional attires, making the opening ceremony a vibrant affair.

Meanwhile, the mascots and volunteers welcome the athletes as they walk waving their respective country’s flag.

In the first Asian Games since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, two teams of athletes are arriving in the Chinese city of Hangzhou, looking very different.

One, sent from Afghanistan where women are now banned by the Taliban from participating in sports, consists of about 130 all-male athletes, who will participate in 17 different sports, including volleyball, judo and wrestling, Atel Mashwani, a Taliban-appointed spokesman for the Afghanistan’s Olympic Committee, told The Associated Press.

Another, competing under the black, red and green flag of the elected government the Taliban toppled in 2021, is drawn from the diaspora of Afghan athletes around the world, and includes 17 women, according to Hafizullah Wali Rahimi, the president of Afghanistan's National Olympic Committee from before the Taliban took over.

We can see the Indian contingent march out in the traditional attire. A shade of brown with green strap on their attires – Sari(women) and Kurta (men).

Lovlina Borgohain and Harmanpreet Singh lead the unit.

A loud cheer for the home contingent as the Chinese athletes grace the spectators. We can also see president Xi Jinping clapping as the camera pans to him momentarily.

The first country to march out are Afghanistan, which consists of about 130 all-male athletes. Women are banned from participating in sports by the Taliban regime. They will be participating in 17 different sports, including volleyball, judo and wrestling.

The 19th edition of the Asian Games has three mascots.

These mascots, which are all robots, have been collectively named ‘Memories of Jiangnan’. The name is dedicated to a poem by Bai Juyi, a recognised poet of the Tang dynasty.

The robots are Chenchen, Congcong, and Lianlian, which represent Hangzhou's vibrant culture and heritage.

A group of soldiers march the arena with the flag of China, which is carried to the flag pole and then hoisted.

We also have a choir, along the spectators assembled singing the national anthem. Some jaw-dropping graphics displayed on the big screen in the background.

This opening ceremony pays ode to China’s modern and traditional outlook.

A total of 12,000 athletes from 45 participating nations are taking part in the Asian Games, making it the largest ever.