Organisers will work to highlight the rich culture and history of the host city and region, as well as the rest of China.

Local people will be part of Asian Games activities, so it won't just be about the athletes and officials.

"As an indispensable part of major sports events, cultural activities help create a vibrant, high-quality atmosphere and will become highlights of the Hangzhou Asian Games," said Chen Weiqiang, the vice-mayor of Hangzhou and the deputy secretary general of the Organising Committee.

"By holding different Asian Games-themed activities, the Hangzhou 2022 Organising Committee will showcase Asia's wonderful and diverse civilisations and China's remarkable culture."

Cultural activities have included paper artist Xie Caihua displaying his works in Xiangshan, one of the venue hubs, to welcome the Asian Games.

A cultural space dedicated to the Games was unveiled at the China Cartoon and Animation Museum, and on Olympic Day in 2021 a cultural and fashion show for Hangzhou 2022 was held.

The Organising Committee also set-up a pavilion dedicated to the Asian Games at the Hangzhou Cultural and Creative Industry Expo in 2020.

To mark two years to go, an art exhibition was laid on in Yuhang which included Asian Games mascots and emblems.

Hangzhou 2022 has also recruited teams to make a film dedicated to the history and culture of Asian Games host cities, both past and present.

A global call for musical works dedicated to Hangzhou 2022 was launched in 2020.

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Slogan and dream ambassadors

The slogan for Hangzhou 2022 has been unveiled as "Heart to Heart, @Future".

Organisers said the phrase "reflects the ability of the digital age to connect people from all over the continent through the Asian Games".

Hangzhou's reputation as a city of technology and as "internet city" is highlighted by the use of the @ symbol.

An event to reveal the slogan included cultural performances, dancing and music.

Hangzhou 2022 has also appointed "dream ambassadors" to promote the Asian Games and the region.

They included pianist Lang Lang, actor and singer Xiao Zhan and four-time Olympic diving gold medallist Guo Jingjing.

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Asian Games 10 Cities Tour

The Asian Games 10 Cities Tour is travelling around China to promote Hangzhou 2022, as well as the region itself and its culture and history.

Each stop includes a series of presentations, sporting events such as fun runs, shows and other events.

Cities on the tour include Chinese capital Beijing, as well as Shanghai, Xi'an, Tianjin, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Chengdu, Nanjing and Xiamen.

An event will also be held in Hangzhou itself.

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Asian Games International Etiquette Contest

Hangzhou 2022 announced the launch of the International Etiquette Contest in September 2020.

The one-year contest has two major categories across various age groups - urban civilisation etiquette and Games services etiquette.

Auditions, preliminaries, semi-finals and finals were held with 10 winners chosen from each age group.

Winners in the Games category were awarded with 10,000 yuan, with those successful in the urban category taking home 5,000 yuan.

The winners were all recommended for jobs or volunteer roles with Hangzhou 2022.

They showed great understanding of Chinese culture and hospitality.

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, the President of the Olympic Council of Asia, sent a congratulatory letter to hail the contest as "a new measure in the history of Asian Games" after it launched.

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Asian Games English Star Contest

Hangzhou 2022 launched an English speaking contest as it aimed to recruit volunteers who can speak the language for the Asian Games.

The contest challenged entrants to give a speech in English and attend a question and answer session.

Outstanding contestants will be considered favourably when volunteers for the Asian Games are recruited.

Husain Al Musallam, the director general of the Olympic Council of Asia, offered his congratulations in a video address when the contest was launched.

It is sponsored by China Mobile, a prestige partner of Hangzhou 2022.

Successful applicants also advanced to the China Daily 21st Century Cup, a national English speaking competition.

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Volunteer programme

More than 52,000 volunteers will be needed for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

They will be tasked with helping visitors who attend the event and also with promoting the culture of the host city and the wider region.

More than 230,000 people registered to become a volunteer.

Those successful will be kitted out with gear made by 361 Degrees International Limited, a prestige partner of Hangzhou 2022.

All of the volunteers will also receive a "little cyan box" containing a certificate, pin badges and stamps.