The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games Organizing Committee hasn't disclosed the total cost of hosting the games, but the Hangzhou government mentioned that over 200 billion yuan (approximately 30 billion US dollars) was spent on transport infrastructure, competition venues, the Athletes' Village, and other facilities over five years leading up to 2020.
According to the BBC, a Hangzhou resident surnamed Jiang remarked that the money spent on the Asian Games would have been better used to improve the living standards of ordinary citizens and the youth. "It's hard to find jobs now. Some companies have gone bankrupt. Today's young people have it tough."
#asiangames #hangzhouchina #chinaobserver
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The 19th Asian Games hosted by China is taking place in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, from September 23rd to October 8th.

The Games have been postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not only is this the first major international event hosted by China post the pandemic, but it is also the largest scale international competition held in China in the last decade.

The organizing committee a year in advance expressed intentions to present a sports cultural event showcasing Chinese characteristics, Zhejiang style, Hangzhou flavor, and dazzling brilliance.

Considering Chinese President Xi Jinping once governed Zhejiang and as a sports enthusiast, Hangzhou invested significantly in the Asian Games.

This investment led to the construction or renovation of several competition venues and some urban infrastructure projects.

To ensure the success of the Asian Games, the Hangzhou government made extensive preparations over the years.

Streets were painted in vibrant colors, complemented by waving Asian Games flags and high-hanging banners.

Buildings facing the streets were also freshly decorated with flowers and other adornments.

A 42-year-old downtown resident, Lily Wu, told Reuters, quote, My impression is that the whole city has been under construction for the past year.

This resident, who works in e-commerce, added, quote, there's a saying circulating online, if the Hangzhou government encounters a dog, they will catch it and paint it anew.

According to official Chinese media, 56 competition venues and 31 training venues were completed and passed inspection, breaking several records such as the largest scale, the most events, the widest coverage, etc.

Photos of the venues released by the official media showcased luxury and extravagance.

While the official Chinese media heavily promoted the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games, they made an inadvertent fox pass.

The People's Daily on September 11th attempted to praise the beauty of Hangzhou using a classical poem.

But the poem originally carried a satirical meaning about an emperor neglecting national issues.

This led to widespread ridicule, prompting the People's Daily to delete the video and accompanying text.

To ensure the smooth opening of the Asian Games, Hangzhou implemented stringent security and traffic controls.

Sewers were sealed after security checks, and the phrase quote Hangzhou Road closures became a censored search term on Weibo.

Those affected by the closures had to quote, go over the wall, i.e.

Circumvent internet censorship, to vent on the social media app X, formerly Twitter.

Given China's economic struggles, the excitement and enthusiasm that Chinese citizens once felt for hosting major events were not replicated.

Many in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and China at large showed indifference or lackluster response to the Games.

Many local Hangzhou residents expressed discontent with the government's massive expenditures on the Asian Games as mere face-saving projects.

Analysts pointed out that 3 years after the COVID-19 pandemic, China's economy, social atmosphere, and confidence are low.

For Hangzhou, the Asian Games appear to be a costly endeavor, while ordinary people are more concerned about their daily lives.

The Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games Organizing committee hasn't disclosed the total cost of hosting the games.

But the Hangzhou government mentioned that over 200 billion yuan, approximately 30 billion US dollars, was spent on transport infrastructure, competition venues, the athletes' village and other facilities over 5 years leading up to 2020.

According to the BBC, a Hangzhou resident surnamed Zhang remarked that the money spent on the Asian Games would have been better used to improve the living standards of ordinary citizens and the youth.

This year, business in Hangzhou and Xiaoshan is not doing well.

The business owner in the home appliances sector revealed that, due to relocations, village levies and Asian Games-related environmental and safety measures, construction sites couldn't operate.

Many left Xiaoshan, making it hard for local businesses.

Quote, in the past there wasn't enough stock of fridges.

Now even good quality second-hand appliances don't sell.

Even with low prices there are no buyers.

A Hangzhou resident filmed a newly abandoned mixed-use building in the city.

He revealed that only 1 floor occupied by an educational training institution was lit while the rest of the building was shrouded in darkness.

The commercial spaces have experienced a high vacancy rate, with the shops on the ground floor being vacant for 3 years straight.

He observed that there are many such underutilized complexes throughout Hangzhou.

He added that while some might assume such a desolate mall must be located in a remote part of Hangzhou without spending power, it is actually situated in a very central area, with approximately 300,000 to 400,000 residents living nearby.

Another mall across the street is also struggling with business.

3 years post-pandemic, China's economy hasn't rebounded as expected.

Yi Gang, a standing member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and former governor of the People's Bank of China pinned an article in the quote CPPCC Daily, highlighting China's current economic challenges.

He pointed out that Chinese citizens have generally reduced spending and are repaying loans early.

This indicates public anticipation of wage cuts and economic lightening, leading to increased savings and reduced debt.

Meanwhile, risks in the real estate sector remain unsolved.

Mounting local government debt has decreased infrastructure investment and employment issues continue to plague the nation.

A scene at a Guangzhou's temporary job market showed it teeming with thousands of job seekers.

The man filming revealed that he was a long-term temporary worker at a factory.

Suddenly, there was no work, and all factory workers were given leave, which effectively meant no income.

Most factories in Guangzhou now only offer work for about 10 days to half a month before giving workers time off without any base wage, leading to unstable employment.

He further stated that wages in the temporary job market are depressingly low.

Unskilled temporary workers earn about 150 yuan, approximately 21 US dollars, for a 10-hour workday.

Such wages only cover basic living expenses, leaving little for mortgage or car loan repayments.

Consequently, the lives of low-wage workers are becoming increasingly difficult, with jobs harder to find.

Critics argue that Beijing's massive spending on such events seeks to win applause from foreigners, ultimately stemming from the leadership's penchant for grand gestures.

According to Voice of America, Hong Kong commentator Johnny Y.

Lau believes China organizes these events for international propaganda and domestic economic benefits, without considering whether they burden the populace.

He noted that while some might hope the Asian Games could bring a touch of joy post 3 years of stringent pandemic measures, those impacted by the economic downturn may lack the spirit to appreciate the event.

However, the economic boost the Asian Games promised to bring Hangzhou might not be significant.

An owner of a restaurant in Hangzhou complained online that, despite the commencement of the Asian Games, customer turnout had not increased, with the restaurant remaining mostly empty.

Restaurant owners in Hangzhou house business during the Asian Games.

Quote, during our peak lunch hours, we only have 4 or 5 tables occupied.

Johnny Weisslau remarked, quote, such sporting events can't alter the current economic tone of mainland China, which is struggling to recover.

Therefore, for the common people who can't adapt to the present economic structure and living standards, the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games won't solve their issues or pique their interest.

Furthermore, analysts believe that China's significant investment in hosting various international events may not be rooted in sports.

Instead, the focus might be on expanding political influence.

However, some pundits argue that the increasingly restrictive atmosphere in Chinese society may be challenging to dispel with just a single vibrant event.

Wu Se-je, the director of the Center for China Studies based in Taipei, believes that since the 2008 Beijing Olympics solidified China's image as a quote rising superpower, the international influence gained from hosting large-scale events has been slowly waning.

Especially in recent years, this influence has been rapidly diminishing.

Therefore, any unexpected incidents during the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games may be magnified, further tarnishing China's image.

Wu Se just stated, quote, suppose an athlete goes sightseeing and inadvertently crosses China's stringent national security boundaries.

Any resulting controversies may be magnified, posing a serious challenge to China's national image.

Zhang Junhao, a scholar from Taichung, also pointed out that the Chinese government often displays a two-handed strategy.

On the 1 hand, they welcome foreign investment, while on the other, they implement regulations like the, quote, anti-espionage law, causing apprehension among foreign businesses.

Taiwanese scholars invited to China for academic exchanges have reportedly been detained and interrogated.

Regarding the political effects of the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games, Voice of America cited an analysis by Zhang Junhao, a political science professor at Tunghai University in Taichung, Taiwan.

He suggests that post-pandemic the Chinese government hopes to use the sporting event to reshape its superpower image, which has taken a hit in recent years, and ease international tensions.

Simultaneously they aim to suppress domestic dissent through the celebratory ambience of the event, achieving tighter societal control.

Jiang Junhao said, quote, The Chinese government hopes that international events serve as a shot of confidence.

Perhaps Chinese athletes will win, or the world might see a different performance, leading to a strong surge in nationalistic propaganda.

Additionally, for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China undertook vast construction projects that build numerous sports venues.

However, 15 years later, apart from the iconic Bird's Nest, which continues to be maintained, many other venues have fallen into despair, starkly contrasting their former glory.

The UK's The Sun reported that sports venues, including those for rowing and cycling events, haven't been well maintained since the conclusion of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

On-the-ground inspections by reporters revealed overgrown venues resembling ruins.

Currently, only the main national stadium and the water cube remain in use.

Today, the Bird's Nest and Water Cube serve as tourist attractions, but maintaining these stadiums and their energy consumption has resulted in considerable wastage.

Apart from attracting tourists, the Bird's Nest occasionally hosts various sporting events and cultural activities.

However, Stadium Management estimates it would take over 30 years to recoup the construction costs, which exceeded 3 billion yuan, approximately 400 million US dollars, excluding maintenance, repairs and energy consumption.

The Water Cube's situation is even direr.

Maintenance, energy consumption and asset depreciation led to a loss of over 11 million yuan in 2011, excluding government subsidies.

These once glorious stadiums are now considered white elephants, resulting in substantial financial wastage.

Many Chinese believe that constructing such stadiums is a sheer waste.

So, Once the Asian Games conclude, will the newly built venues in Hangzhou follow in the footsteps of the stadiums built for the Beijing Olympics?


Speaker 0: The 19th Asian Games hosted by China is taking place in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, from September 23rd to October 8th. The Games have been postponed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only is this the first major international event hosted by China post the pandemic, but it is also the largest scale international competition held in China in the last decade. The organizing committee a year in advance expressed intentions to present a sports cultural event showcasing Chinese characteristics, Zhejiang style, Hangzhou flavor, and dazzling brilliance. Considering Chinese President Xi Jinping once governed Zhejiang and as a sports enthusiast, Hangzhou invested significantly in the Asian Games.

This investment led to the construction or renovation of several competition venues and some urban infrastructure projects. To ensure the success of the Asian Games, the Hangzhou government made extensive preparations over the years. Streets were painted in vibrant colors, complemented by waving Asian Games flags and high-hanging banners. Buildings facing the streets were also freshly decorated with flowers and other adornments. A 42-year-old downtown resident, Lily Wu, told Reuters, quote, My impression is that the whole city has been under construction for the past year.

This resident, who works in e-commerce, added, quote, there's a saying circulating online, if the Hangzhou government encounters a dog, they will catch it and paint it anew. According to official Chinese media, 56 competition venues and 31 training venues were completed and passed inspection, breaking several records such as the largest scale, the most events, the widest coverage, etc. Photos of the venues released by the official media showcased luxury and extravagance. While the official Chinese media heavily promoted the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games, they made an inadvertent fox pass. The People's Daily on September 11th attempted to praise the beauty of Hangzhou using a classical poem.

But the poem originally carried a satirical meaning about an emperor neglecting national issues. This led to widespread ridicule, prompting the People's Daily to delete the video and accompanying text. To ensure the smooth opening of the Asian Games, Hangzhou implemented stringent security and traffic controls. Sewers were sealed after security checks, and the phrase quote Hangzhou Road closures became a censored search term on Weibo. Those affected by the closures had to quote, go over the wall, i.e.

Circumvent internet censorship, to vent on the social media app X, formerly Twitter. Given China's economic struggles, the excitement and enthusiasm that Chinese citizens once felt for hosting major events were not replicated. Many in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, and China at large showed indifference or lackluster response to the Games. Many local Hangzhou residents expressed discontent with the government's massive expenditures on the Asian Games as mere face-saving projects. Analysts pointed out that 3 years after the COVID-19 pandemic, China's economy, social atmosphere, and confidence are low.

For Hangzhou, the Asian Games appear to be a costly endeavor, while ordinary people are more concerned about their daily lives. The Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games Organizing committee hasn't disclosed the total cost of hosting the games. But the Hangzhou government mentioned that over 200 billion yuan, approximately 30 billion US dollars, was spent on transport infrastructure, competition venues, the athletes' village and other facilities over 5 years leading up to 2020. According to the BBC, a Hangzhou resident surnamed Zhang remarked that the money spent on the Asian Games would have been better used to improve the living standards of ordinary citizens and the youth. Quote, it's hard to find jobs now.

Some companies have gone bankrupt. Today's young people have it tough. This year, business in Hangzhou and Xiaoshan is not doing well. Don't deny this. Because...

The business owner in the home appliances sector revealed that, due to relocations, village levies and Asian Games-related environmental and safety measures, construction sites couldn't operate. Many left Xiaoshan, making it hard for local businesses. Quote, in the past there wasn't enough stock of fridges. Now even good quality second-hand appliances don't sell. Even with low prices there are no buyers.

Business is really tough. A Hangzhou resident filmed a newly abandoned mixed-use building in the city. He revealed that only 1 floor occupied by an educational training institution was lit while the rest of the building was shrouded in darkness. The commercial spaces have experienced a high vacancy rate, with the shops on the ground floor being vacant for 3 years straight. He observed that there are many such underutilized complexes throughout Hangzhou.

He added that while some might assume such a desolate mall must be located in a remote part of Hangzhou without spending power, it is actually situated in a very central area, with approximately 300,000 to 400,000 residents living nearby. Another mall across the street is also struggling with business. 3 years post-pandemic, China's economy hasn't rebounded as expected. Yi Gang, a standing member of the National Committee of the CPPCC and former governor of the People's Bank of China pinned an article in the quote CPPCC Daily, highlighting China's current economic challenges. He pointed out that Chinese citizens have generally reduced spending and are repaying loans early.

This indicates public anticipation of wage cuts and economic lightening, leading to increased savings and reduced debt. Meanwhile, risks in the real estate sector remain unsolved. Mounting local government debt has decreased infrastructure investment and employment issues continue to plague the nation. A scene at a Guangzhou's temporary job market showed it teeming with thousands of job seekers. Quote, what are your thoughts on this?

It's truly hard to find a job nowadays. The man filming revealed that he was a long-term temporary worker at a factory. Suddenly, there was no work, and all factory workers were given leave, which effectively meant no income. Most factories in Guangzhou now only offer work for about 10 days to half a month before giving workers time off without any base wage, leading to unstable employment. He further stated that wages in the temporary job market are depressingly low.

Unskilled temporary workers earn about 150 yuan, approximately 21 US dollars, for a 10-hour workday. Such wages only cover basic living expenses, leaving little for mortgage or car loan repayments. Consequently, the lives of low-wage workers are becoming increasingly difficult, with jobs harder to find. Critics argue that Beijing's massive spending on such events seeks to win applause from foreigners, ultimately stemming from the leadership's penchant for grand gestures. According to Voice of America, Hong Kong commentator Johnny Y.

S. Lau believes China organizes these events for international propaganda and domestic economic benefits, without considering whether they burden the populace. He noted that while some might hope the Asian Games could bring a touch of joy post 3 years of stringent pandemic measures, those impacted by the economic downturn may lack the spirit to appreciate the event. However, the economic boost the Asian Games promised to bring Hangzhou might not be significant. An owner of a restaurant in Hangzhou complained online that, despite the commencement of the Asian Games, customer turnout had not increased, with the restaurant remaining mostly empty.

Restaurant owners in Hangzhou house business during the Asian Games. Quote, during our peak lunch hours, we only have 4 or 5 tables occupied. Johnny Weisslau remarked, quote, such sporting events can't alter the current economic tone of mainland China, which is struggling to recover. Therefore, for the common people who can't adapt to the present economic structure and living standards, the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games won't solve their issues or pique their interest. Furthermore, analysts believe that China's significant investment in hosting various international events may not be rooted in sports.

Instead, the focus might be on expanding political influence. However, some pundits argue that the increasingly restrictive atmosphere in Chinese society may be challenging to dispel with just a single vibrant event. Wu Se-je, the director of the Center for China Studies based in Taipei, believes that since the 2008 Beijing Olympics solidified China's image as a quote rising superpower, the international influence gained from hosting large-scale events has been slowly waning. Especially in recent years, this influence has been rapidly diminishing. Therefore, any unexpected incidents during the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games may be magnified, further tarnishing China's image.

Wu Se just stated, quote, suppose an athlete goes sightseeing and inadvertently crosses China's stringent national security boundaries. Any resulting controversies may be magnified, posing a serious challenge to China's national image. Zhang Junhao, a scholar from Taichung, also pointed out that the Chinese government often displays a two-handed strategy. On the 1 hand, they welcome foreign investment, while on the other, they implement regulations like the, quote, anti-espionage law, causing apprehension among foreign businesses. Similar controversies exist in academia.

Taiwanese scholars invited to China for academic exchanges have reportedly been detained and interrogated. Regarding the political effects of the Hangzhou 2020 Asian Games, Voice of America cited an analysis by Zhang Junhao, a political science professor at Tunghai University in Taichung, Taiwan. He suggests that post-pandemic the Chinese government hopes to use the sporting event to reshape its superpower image, which has taken a hit in recent years, and ease international tensions. Simultaneously they aim to suppress domestic dissent through the celebratory ambience of the event, achieving tighter societal control. Jiang Junhao said, quote, The Chinese government hopes that international events serve as a shot of confidence.

Perhaps Chinese athletes will win, or the world might see a different performance, leading to a strong surge in nationalistic propaganda. Additionally, for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China undertook vast construction projects that build numerous sports venues. However, 15 years later, apart from the iconic Bird's Nest, which continues to be maintained, many other venues have fallen into despair, starkly contrasting their former glory. The UK's The Sun reported that sports venues, including those for rowing and cycling events, haven't been well maintained since the conclusion of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. On-the-ground inspections by reporters revealed overgrown venues resembling ruins.

Currently, only the main national stadium and the water cube remain in use. Today, the Bird's Nest and Water Cube serve as tourist attractions, but maintaining these stadiums and their energy consumption has resulted in considerable wastage. Apart from attracting tourists, the Bird's Nest occasionally hosts various sporting events and cultural activities. However, Stadium Management estimates it would take over 30 years to recoup the construction costs, which exceeded 3 billion yuan, approximately 400 million US dollars, excluding maintenance, repairs and energy consumption. The Water Cube's situation is even direr.

Maintenance, energy consumption and asset depreciation led to a loss of over 11 million yuan in 2011, excluding government subsidies. These once glorious stadiums are now considered white elephants, resulting in substantial financial wastage. Many Chinese believe that constructing such stadiums is a sheer waste. So, Once the Asian Games conclude, will the newly built venues in Hangzhou follow in the footsteps of the stadiums built for the Beijing Olympics?

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CCP Spends $30 Billion on Asian Games, While Ordinary Citizens Endure Untold Hardships