A special ceremony was held at the Shantou Convergence Media Group Theatre to announce the contest, entitled "Shining Youth in Shantou".

Organisers have called for "AYG-themed musical works that are artistically innovative, with a globalised perspective and reflect the trends of the time".

The four categories in the contest include a "Games Hymn," a "volunteers’ song," music which can be used to promote the Games throughout the city, and also a category for "occasions specific music". 

This includes the soundtrack for entrances and exits and victory ceremonies at the Games.

"Music will promote the fighting spirit and sportsmanship, exhibit the profound cultural heritage of the host city," Shantou Vice-Mayor and Organising Committee deputy director Lin Ruiwu said.

"It will showcase the Chinese style, Guangdong glamour and Shantou flavour and leave behind unique Asian Youth Games heritage and fond memories of the Shantou 2021 AYG."

Singers Liao Huan, better known by his stage name "Dongshan Master" and Ye Xiaoyue, a semi-finalist in the reality television programme Sing! China are to be the promotional faces of the competition which is open until March 31.

Competition regulations state that "applicants can choose to participate in the selection through a Headquarters Division or through a Collegiate Division".

Entries for the competition can be complete songs, lyrics and musical tunes.

The Organising Committee will judge entries from a short list before the final choices are made for the re-arranged Games due to open on December 20 and conclude on December 28. 

They had originally been due to take place in November 2021 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The contest is part of a drive to promote music in the region.

Shantou’s Municipal Government and the Xinghai Conservatory of Music have signed an agreement "to strengthen cooperation, tap professional resources, accelerate the musical system development and promote cultural and artistic exchanges and collaboration in Eastern Guangdong".

The tradition of music at the Asian Youth Games goes back to the inaugural event held in Singapore in 2009. 

A celebration song, Asia’s Youth, Our Future was performed by Amni Musfirah from the Singapore School of the Arts at the Opening Ceremony.