Torch bearers in the virtual and physical worlds jointly lit up the cauldron at the opening ceremony for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on September 23.

It was the first time in the history of the Asian Games that the flame ignition was completed via "digital and real integration," according to Sha Xiaolan, chief director for the opening ceremony of the 19th Asian Games.

According to the organizers, the opening ceremony used green zero-carbon methanol for the first time. The fuel regenerated from waste carbon was the fuel for the main torch tower, realizing zero emissions and helping create the first carbon-neutral Asian Games.

"Over 100 million online torch bearers gathered by the Qiantang River, and they created a tailor-designed digital torch bearer who walked across the river and came to the lotus stadium," said Sha.

"A green, digital and intelligent Asian Games will leave lasting memories for people around the world," said Li Yiqing, spokesperson for the 19th Asian Games opening and closing ceremonies operations center.

Torch relay

The torch used in the relay of the 19th Asian Games is named the "Eternal Flame."

The 73-centimeter-high torch weighs 1.2 kilograms, and its surface features patterns and motifs from ancient Chinese culture combined with modern design aesthetics.

The design of the torch was inspired by jade cong from the Liangzhu Archaeological Ruins, which is located in today's Hangzhou and has been inscribed on the World Heritage List as a cultural site since July 2019.

Jade cong, or yucong, a jade tube with a quadrilateral exterior and a circular inside, is an ancient ritual article bearing testimony to the existence of at least 5,000 years of Chinese civilization.

The torch relay for the 19th Asian Games commenced in Hangzhou on September 8 and concluded on September 20.

The relay was inaugurated by Luo Xuejuan, the women's 100m breaststroke winner at the 2004 Olympic Games, and concluded with Wu Yibing, the first player from the Chinese mainland to win an ATP Tour trophy.

The relay featured 2,022 torchbearers who passed the torch through 11 cities in Zhejiang Province, showcasing Chinese culture and heartwarming stories of ordinary people.

Online torch flame

Organizers of the 19th Asian Games released a digital platform for the Games on November 27, 2022.

On the platform, the torch can be carried without the limits of time and space with advanced technologies such as big data and artificial intelligence.

The digital torch relay was officially launched after the flame of the Games was lit on June 15, 2022. On the digital platform, people can pass on the torch by shaking their mobile phones.