Asian Games: Pearl River Cruise Highlights Asian Games Opening Ceremony

The staff of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee (GAGOC) said on July 21 that the Pearl River Cruise would be a special part of the opening ceremony of the Guangzhou Asian Games and the much-expected flame lighting ceremony was set to begin at 9:42 pm on November 12.
The 2nd Word Press Briefing of the Guangzhou Asian Games is being held in Guangzhou. The organizer arranged a tour for journalists from all over the world to view the infrastructure of Asian Games including Asian Games Town, the Main Press Centre (MPC), and the Venues for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The journalists had to view the Venue for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies-Hai Xinsha Square from the other side of the river because the venue was still under construction. The staff of GAGOC disclosed some of the details of the opening ceremony to the visitors.
According to the staff, the Pearl River Cruise would be a highlight of the opening ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, guests from all over the world will take the cruise starting from the White Swan Pool, going downstream from the west to the east and finally reaching Hai Xinsha Square after 9.2-kilometer journey on the water. This will be a special way of welcoming all the guests.
Art performances will begin at around 8:00pm on the night in which about 7,000 people will participate. Following the performances is the thrilling flame-lighting ceremony at 9:42pm.
The Opening Ceremony of Guangzhou Asian Games will be held at Haixinsha Square on the Pearl River south to Zhujiang New Town of Guangzhou. Holding the opening ceremony of a grand sports event on an island is innovative, which is new in the history of the Asian Games.
(Translated by Guangzhou Association of Foreign Affairs Translators)