As of August 24, there were only 30 days left until the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou. As the games draw closer, the Asian Games excitement has taken over the streets of Jinhua. People from different countries are looking forward to this event and are curious about where it will happen.

What’s really exciting is that a group of nine special spokespersons for the Hangzhou Asian Games from different countries appeared. These spokespersons are the consuls general in Shanghai from nine countries: the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, South Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Iran, and Indonesia. They shared their connections with Jinhua through the camera, talked about stories related to the Asian Games, and invited people from all around Asia and the world.

Xu Shufang, director of the Consular Office at Jinhua Foreign Affairs Office (Hong Kong and Macao Office) and staff member of the International Reception Working Group of the Jinhua Office for the Asian Games, explained their initial efforts. They sent promotional videos and information about Jinhua to diplomats and even went to meet them in person. In May, they launched an event called “Diplomats Speak for Asian Games” in Shanghai, which was part of the activities in Jinhua.

The first visit took place on May 17 when Xu Shufang and her colleagues visited Ramazan Parvaz, Consul General of Islamic Republic of Iran in Shanghai at that time. They brought along an invitation letter. After the completion of the Hangzhou Asian Games venues, Parvaz was among the initial group of consuls general to explore Shanghai. China’s first participation in the Asian Games was in 1974 during the Tehran Asian Games. The Diplomats Speak for the Asian Games event from Jinhua began in Shanghai, and the Iranian Consulate General was its first stop. Parvaz expressed heartfelt sentiments, noting that these three “firsts” symbolize the friendship between China and Iran. Anticipating the Asian Games’ soccer and sepaktakraw matches hosted by Jinhua, Palvaz noted, “I personally have a strong fondness for soccer, which is also a popular sport in Iran. If I get the chance, I will certainly visit Jinhua to watch the Asian Games.”

In the office of Hussein Hyde, Consul General of Pakistan in Shanghai, there’s a calligraphy artwork bearing the phrase “a community with a shared future for mankind.” Hyde has made several visits to Yiwu and has praised it as a “world supermarket” brimming with trade opportunities. He holds the view that Jinhua can play a crucial role in enhancing trade and economic exchanges between Pakistan and China, with a special emphasis on fostering significant investment relationships.

Sports are becoming a new way for Jinhua to connect with the world. Anura Fernando, Consul General of Sri Lanka in Shanghai, said that Jinhua is known for technology, industry, transportation, and trade, and now it’s also making a name for itself in sports. He sent a message to the Sri Lankan team, “You’ll be warmly welcomed in China.” (By Wang Lei)

Muhannad Sulaiman Alnaqbi, Consul General of the UAE in Shanghai

Hussein Hyde, Consul General of Pakistan in Shanghai