The Beijing News:
The number of venues for the Hangzhou Asian Games and Asian Para Games totals 56, which surpasses that of the Olympic Games. Does this conform to the concept of hosting an economical Asian Games? Thank you.
Yao Gaoyuan:
In our preparation for the Asian Games, there is a very important requirement that the Games be streamlined, safe, and splendid. Hosting a streamlined event is given top priority and is one of the very important requirements for organizing the Asian Games. In terms of major sporting events at home and abroad, hosting an economical event has become a trend, a consensus, and an action. Regarding the question just mentioned concerning the venues' cost-effectiveness, we have consistently adhered to three dimensions and concepts throughout.
First, we have adhered to the economical concept of " if it can be renovated, don't build it" in venue construction. As Mr. Zhou mentioned earlier, most of the competition and training venues have been renovated or repurposed, using existing buildings. As long as they meet the requirements of the games, we generally follow the principle. This reflects a commitment to hosting an economical Games. As you mentioned, with 56 venues, we have for the Hangzhou Asian Games fewer venues than previous Asian Games. However, we have more venues than the Olympic Games or the Winter Olympic Games. This is because the Asian Games have many competition events, more than the Olympic Games and the Winter Olympic Games, with 40 major events and 483 sub-events. This means that every venue is fully scheduled. To ensure the smooth progress of the Games, some competitions have even been scheduled before the opening ceremony to reduce the number of venues needed. Therefore, the preparation of the venues was done according to actual needs.
Second, since the completion of the venues, we have adhered to the economical principle of "if market entities can support their development, don't use government funding" on facilities and equipment. If we can rent facilities and equipment, we will not buy new ones, and if we can borrow, we will not rent. For example, we will not spend fiscal funds if market entities can develop facilities and equipment. If fiscal funds are necessary, we will consider the actual conditions. If the venue's function remains unchanged and sustainable use is achievable, we will purchase the necessary equipment and facilities. However, if the venue's function will change in the future, for example, if a sports stadium being converted to a convention center, we prefer to rent or borrow equipment to reduce financial expenditure and waste.
Third, the most crucial aspect of the economical concept is to ensure the sustainable use of the venues as a lasting legacy of the Asian Games. After completing the venues, it would be a waste if they were left idle. Therefore, since we started building the 56 venues, we have been planning their use after the Games. Satisfying the needs of the competition is the first half of the work, and ensuring the sustainable use of the venues after the Games is the second half, which I believe is more important. At present, 51 of the venues have already developed specific plans for their future use. Although the Asian Games have not started yet, the proportion of venues with plans for post-Games use has reached 91%.
Therefore, throughout the entire process of organizing the Games, we have always kept frugality in mind. Hosting an economical Asian Games is our guideline and the principle we uphold. We have fully acted upon this principle in our practice. Thank you.
