Asian Games mascots meet Yiwu locals on June 16. [Photo/Lyu Bin for Zhejiang Daily]

Yiwu in Zhejiang province held the launch ceremony for the "Vibrant Yiwu Welcomes the Asian Games" activities on June 16, marking the beginning of the 100-day countdown to the Hangzhou Asian Games.

The event aims to further ignite enthusiasm for the Asian Games and create a strong atmosphere of inclusiveness, cooperation, and participation among the people.

Local authorities said that the Asian Games is not only a great way to showcase China’s strengths, Zhejiang’s charm, and Yiwu fashion to Asia and the world, but also provides an excellent opportunity to empower urban development, enhance urban quality, and polish the city's image.

They called upon all residents to help improve the environment and promote civilized behavior.

Yiwu will organize a series of events, including neighborhood festivals and the filming of Asian Games promotional videos, to engage the community, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and raise awareness about the significance of the Asian Games.

As the world's biggest sporting event in terms of scale, the Asian Games, which include both Olympic and non-Olympic sports, will see an estimated 12,000 athletes from all 45 national and regional Olympic committees in Asia compete in a record 483 medal events from Sept 23 to Oct 8.