CHINA: Thousands turn out for launch of Asian Games torch relay

Thousands turn out for launch of Asian Games torch relay in Hangzhou. China launched the torch relay for its COVID-delayed Asian Games on Friday with thousands of people lining the streets of the host city Hangzhou.

Fans waving miniature national flags packed into the area around the city's West Lake several hours before the start of the 9:00 am launch ceremony. The Asian Games start in Hangzhou, a city in eastern China famed for its elegant temples, canals and bridges, on September 23. 

Hangzhou had been due to hold the Games in September last year but they were postponed because of China's strict zero-COVID rules, which have since been abandoned. The relay will run through 11 cities in the region with over 2,000 people taking part, before ending up back in Hangzhou on September 20.