Chinese diplomats congratulate India for best performances at Hangzhou Asian Games

With India ending its Hangzhou Asiad campaign with its ever-best achievement in the Asian Games, Indian spectators and Indian coaches from Hangzhou are overwhelmed with the stupendous infrastructure hosting this mega event magnificently in East China's Zhejiang province.

The Chinese Embassy and its diplomats in India congratulated India on their success and milestone at the Hangzhou Asian Games with a record haul of 107 medals. Indian crowds who gathered in Hangzhou to cheer Indian players also praised exceptional sports facilities and organization provided by the host nation.

"Congratulations to the success and milestones at Hangzhou Asian Games. Wish Indian athletes all the best with further achievements," the Chinese Embassy in India on Saturday posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The athletes from India won 107 medals in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, surpassing their previous record of 70 medals from the 2018 Asian Games, and there are widespread celebrations across the country and widespread acclaim. Indian athletes won a total of 12 medals on Saturday, the last day of the Asian Games, with half of them from gold in sports like kabaddi, badminton, hockey and archery.

A sizable crowd gathered in their country's airports to welcome medal-winning athletes by garlanding them on their arrival from China. Later, fans moved in processions by beating drums, bursting fire crackers on roads in their honor as they approached their respective homes.

"It feels amazing to know Team India bagged 107 medals in Hangzhou. I'm sure all of them must feel good about the host city too. I also know athletes from east India are doing well too and wish for the post-games era to see more opportunities for sports exchanges between east India, especially West Bengal and China," Chinese Consul- General in Kolkata Zha Liyou told China Daily.

The Consul General is highly optimistic that there is a lot of potential for experience-sharing between the two countries regarding sports training and development.

"I am happy to see that Team India have surpassed your historical best well before the ending of the games. Congratulations!" Chinese Consular General in Mumbai Kong Xianhua said on Oct 5 while speaking at an event commemorating the 74th anniversary of China's foundation.

Indian officials from the Asian Games, former athletes and political leaders cutting across the party lines appreciated the Indian athletes' perseverance and dreams for achieving this stunning performance.

"I had such a great time at the Athletes Village last evening, enjoying dinner with players and admiring the amazing facilities provided at the Village," P T Usha, a former Indian sports legend who is currently in Hangzhou, posted on X.

"The Asian Games organizers have made a huge effort in creating some decent infrastructure here and we are hoping that there will be support for us once we start playing our matches, India's head coach and former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman said in Hangzhou and posted few congratulatory messages on social media sites sharing his wonderful experience to be part of this Asian Games.

The Hangzhou Asian Games continues China's focus on warm, friendly international relations. It echoes the past while heralding the future, steering the participating countries toward warm, friendly relationships, said Sunil Kumar, an Indian businessman doing business in China who was presented in Hangzhou yesterday to cheer Indian players.

The Asian Games Village with five star facilities was built up for staying players and other supporting staffs, it was nicely arranged and well decorated with all modern facilities and amenities, Sunil wrote China Daily in a text message from Hangzhou.

"China, as the host nation, has left no stone unturned in ensuring top-notch facilities for the athletes. From world-class stadiums to efficient management, China has set an example for other nations in terms of hosting and organizing international sports events," Ashish Jain another spectator from Hangzhou told China Daily.

Raja Randhir Singh, acting president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), commended the organizers of the Hangzhou Asian Games for their meticulous preparations.

"We are delighted to have such convenient facilities, everything is in place. We feel honored and proud, eagerly anticipating the games," Singh said on Sept 22 in a press conference in Hangzhou.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in congratulating the athletes, saying he will speak with them on Tuesday after their return from China.

Modi wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "A momentous achievement for India at the Asian Games! The people of India are thrilled that we have reached a remarkable milestone of 100 medals. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our phenomenal athletes whose efforts have led to this historic milestone for India…"

The writer is a freelance journalist for China Daily.