Domestic Affairs

Asian Games changes Guangzhou

By Huang Shuo (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-11-23 14:41

After experiencing big events such as the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and the Shanghai World Expo 2010, China welcomed another big event -- the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games, from Nov 12 to 27, attracting about 7,000 journalists to focus on “Ram City,” a nickname for Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong province in South China.

The Asian Games in Guangzhou changes the city fundamentally in many ways. The host city is under the spotlight and will be enhanced in tourism and business, the two industries gaining direct benefit from the Games. The city’s image is also bound to get a boost.

The sports event will also boost consumption in the country, which is expected to lure around 650,000 domestic and foreign tourists, bringing about 800 billion yuan and significantly elevating the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Guangzhou.

The quality of excellence both on and off the field at the 16th Asian Games has already surpassed that of Doha 2006, and this will benefit the Asian sporting community as well as the host city, said Husain Al-Musallam, director general of the Olympic Council of Asia. "All of the events have been fantastic, including the setup and the venues," said the director general. "It will be a challenge to the city that follows this Games to keep growing and getting better."

Tang Ruping, director of the Games Services Department of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee, who presented a briefing on transportation services during the Games at the Main Press Center, stated that the transportation system in Guangzhou has been significantly upgraded, with some 76 Asian Games bus lanes and six newly opened subway lanes now in service with extended service times.

Green economy has drawn attention to the host city and is being implemented through government policies. Promoting a low-carbon development model and making the city fit for living also meet the objectives of the Asian Games, whose theme includes "Welcome Asian Games to Make Good Life." Meanwhile, the city boasts advantageous conditions for a low-carbon economy, such as more advanced technology, remarkable energy-reducing achievements and rapid low-carbon industry progress. Chen Haotian, deputy director of the Development and Reform Commission of Guangzhou Municipality, reviewing the Green Asian Games and low-carbon economy development of Guangzhou, expressed that Guangzhou would further promote a green economy development plan and low-carbon urban development summary and work to develop a comprehensive low-carbon economy.

The plan would be established in 2011, with the promotion of low-carbon emissions for production methods and lifestyle. With the establishment of industrial low-carbon characteristics, the unit GDP energy consumption would fall to 0.54-0.56 tons standard coal, the carbon emissions intensity of which would surpass the same period standard of Guangdong province and the country.

Volunteerism inspires the whole society by contributing and offering help to people in need, playing a supplementary role in building a harmonious society. Volunteers for the Games lay the basis for the event’s success, whose main tasks include maintaining operations and public security, and providing basic information services for viewers. With the help of volunteers, the 16th Asian Games can be smooth and successful in the end.

The Asian Games in Guangzhou not only leaves material improvement, but a spirit of fairness and friendship, which may contribute to solutions for many social development issues. The wisdoms gained from fair sports competition can also be useful in our daily lives.

The author can be reached at larryhuangshuo@gmail.com.