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Sept. 23 (UPI) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping kicked off the 2023 Asian Games with remarks at its gala opening ceremony Saturday in Hangzhou, China, amid a stadium packed with 80,000 onlookers. Xi elicited loud applause at the start of the 19th incarnation of the games, which took place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium. The games were delayed a full year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and were originally scheduled to start in September 2022.
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"China will deliver a great event that is distinctly Chinese, uniquely Asian and spectacular," Xi said ahead of the opening ceremony, wishing all in attendance an "unforgettable" experience.
Tens of thousands jammed into the lotus-shaped facility to watch the ceremony Saturday evening, which featured a display of cutting edge technology.
The athletic tournament will utilize 56 sporting venues, hosting a total of 481 different events.
A combined 12,000 athletes are taking part, representing all 45 members making up the Olympic Council of Asia. The numbers add up to the largest-ever Asian Games in terms of number of participants, sports and total scale.
Mongolia, Palestine and South Korea all sent their largest delegations to date to the current version of the games, which run from Saturday until Oct. 8.
North Korea sent a delegation, marking the reclusive country's first appearance at the event since the 2018 games in Indonesia.
China is favored to come out atop the medal count.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Crown Prince Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah of Kuwait and South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo were among the invited guests.
China previously hosted the games in Guangzhou in 2010, and in Beijing in 1990.
