Attended by sports and Government officials from Hangzhou city, Zhejiang province and the Central Government in Beijing, a ceremony to mark the occasion took place in the tennis centre of the Olympic and International Expo Park.

Chinese Olympic Committee and General Administration of Sport of China President Gou Zhongwen led proceedings.

Raja Randhir Singh, life vice-president of the OCA, was also present.

"We can see the progress of the preparations and we can feel the excitement is building in the city,” said Singh.

"The OCA is confident that the 19th Asian Games will be a big success due to the experience and expertise of our partners in China.

"China has become a loyal and trusted friend in the Olympic Movement at national, continental and world level and we are sure that the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2022 will add to this rich legacy."

The slogan for the Games was announced during the celebration, with 26,536 people sending in suggestions after a global call. 

"Heart to Heart, @Future" was the chosen slogan, reflecting the ability of the digital age to connect people from all over the continent through the Asian Games.

The ceremony also introduced the Asian Games Dream Ambassadors, including retired diving champion Guo Jingjing. 

The 2022 Asian Games in the Chinese city are scheduled to run from September 10 to 25.

It will be the third time that China has hosted the OCA’s showpiece event, following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou in 2010.