The 16th Asian Games opened in central Guangzhou on November 12 in a blaze of pyrotechnics as China staged the biggest sporting gala since the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It was the largest ever Asian Games, featuring 28 Olympic and 14 non-Olympic sports with 476 gold medals up for grabs. This year, the Asian Games audience saw the debuts of cricket, dance sports, dragon boat racing, roller sports and go chess. China sent its largest ever squad, which brought home 154 gold medals and 304 medals in total as they won the Asian Games for the eighth consecutive year.

To prepare for the games, Guangdong Province built and renovated more than 70 stadiums. The air and water quality in Guangzhou was improved, its transportation system updated and barrier-free facilities put in place. Some 900,000 volunteers were staked out at the venues to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for the audience and athletes. Asian Games officials urged Guangzhou residents to behave in a more civilized manner as a massive education campaign was launched shortly after the city won the hosting rights in 2004.

At the opening ceremony, officials prepared more than 40,000 shots of fireworks, which were launched at 970 spots. The large opening art show and theatrical performances provided the audience with a visual feast.