Torch relay for 19th Asian Games begins in Hangzhou

The torch relay for the 19th Asian Games officially started near the iconic West Lake in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, on Friday, marking a 15-day countdown to the event.

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, lit the torch from a cauldron at a ceremony held at the Yongjin Park Square and then announced the start of the relay.

Swimming champion Luo Xuejuan, the women's 100 meters breaststroke winner at the 2004 Olympic Games, was the first of the 106 torchbearers during Friday's relay. According to organizers, the flame is set to be relayed through 11 cities in Zhejiang Province before returning to Hangzhou on Sept. 20 to complete its final leg.

The Hangzhou Asian Games, which will open on Sept. 23, is expected to be the largest edition ever with 12,500 athletes from 45 countries and regions.