China is gearing up for the Asian Games, set to commence this Saturday, but the nation’s enthusiasm appears to be somewhat muted. This subdued response can be attributed to economic challenges and concerns regarding the expenses associated with this grand sporting event.
Delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the quadrennial Asian Games will unfold in the eastern city of Hangzhou, marking China’s most significant sporting spectacle in over a decade. The event boasts participation from more than 12,000 athletes representing 45 nations competing across 40 different sports.
Organizers have conveyed unwavering confidence in hosting a “magnificent” games, crediting President Xi Jinping’s “important instructions” and China’s well-known meticulous preparations. Analysts concur that the event is poised to run smoothly, given China’s reputation for thorough planning and execution.
Local officials are keenly aware of President Xi’s historical connection to Hangzhou, his affinity for major sporting events, and the presence of numerous dignitaries, including Syrian President Bashar al-Assad—a visit representing only the second time a Syrian president has traveled to China since diplomatic ties were established in 1956.
Nevertheless, a prevailing lack of enthusiasm in Hangzhou and other parts of China is palpable. Some citizens contend that the funds allocated for constructing new stadiums and gleaming facilities could have been better invested in the welfare of the general population and the younger generation.
“After three years of dealing with COVID-19, economic and social confidence in China has waned considerably. For Hangzhou, these Asian Games are seen by many as an extravagant expenditure,” remarked John Yan, founder of Score Sports, a prominent Chinese media firm and a leading football commentator in the country. Yan emphasized that people’s primary concerns now revolve around their daily lives, with the Asian Games not taking precedence.
Organizers have not publicly disclosed the expenditure for the games, though the Hangzhou government has acknowledged spending over 200 billion yuan ($30 billion) between 2015 and 2020 on transport infrastructure, stadiums, accommodations, and other facilities.
Jiang, a 69-year-old Hangzhou resident, echoed the sentiment of many when she said, “It would be better if this money were spent on the common people and on the youngsters. Finding a job is difficult now, and some companies have closed down. It’s really tough for young people these days.”
The expected influx of medals for the Chinese contingent could potentially elevate public spirits surrounding the games. As Mark Dreyer, a Beijing-based commentator and author of a book on China’s sporting ambitions, noted, “When the sporting action kicks off, then the narrative very much changes.” Nonetheless, state media coverage leading up to the Asian Games has been noticeably less comprehensive compared to the run-up to the 2022 Winter Olympics, which was held under stricter COVID-19 restrictions despite its smaller scale.
For many Chinese citizens, unless they are in Hangzhou, it’s easy to overlook the games amidst the overwhelming promotional efforts in the host city.
Hangzhou, situated in the affluent Zhejiang province near Shanghai, has undergone a significant transformation in anticipation of the Asian Games, akin to Beijing’s preparations before the 2008 Olympics. The city’s streets have been adorned with vibrant colors to complement game posters, senior citizens have been offered English lessons, and officials have decorated some older or road-facing properties with flowers and other embellishments.
Wu Lili, a 42-year-old resident of the city center and an e-commerce business owner, remarked, “The impression I have is that over the past year, the entire city has been under construction.”
Several residents expressed satisfaction with the improved transportation infrastructure and hoped for a boost to the local economy. Some viewed the games as a positive sign of China’s engagement with the world, potentially counteracting concerns that the country, under President Xi’s leadership, was adopting a more inward, national security-focused posture.
A 24-year-old auto sector worker, who preferred to be identified as Zhang, highlighted the significance of such events, saying, “Over the past few years due to the pandemic, our entertainment activities and mental wellbeing have been suppressed for a long time, so we need such events to boost our confidence.”
Jules Boycoff, a scholar specializing in the politics of sport at Pacific University in the United States, offered insights into China’s motivations, explaining, “For China’s authorities, it’s about registering power at home, but it’s also about putting your best foot forward to a global audience at a time when there’s a lot of skepticism in the West toward China.”
