Chinese firm lights up 2026 Asiad with unique flame concept

The 20th Asian Games officially opened at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium in Japan on Sept 19 with a ceremony that drew heavily on Japanese traditions — centuries-old culture and arts performed on a stage shaped like a beating heart.

What is less known is that the entire process was led and orchestrated by Zhejiang Dafeng Industry, a private company based in East China's Zhejiang province.

Usually, host nations generally run the opening and closing ceremonies with their own teams, but the convention was broken this time, as Dafeng has been tasked with planning, producing and operating both the opening and closing ceremonies.

In the past, Chinese companies were mostly equipment suppliers or service providers for a part of the whole process, explained Jiang Fan, general manager of Dafeng's brand and marketing department.

"This time, it's different," she said. "From creative planning, main torch tower design and production, and cultural programs, to stage performance and presentation, and the overall planning, production and operation of the opening ceremony, Dafeng was the 'chief architect'."

A highlight of the ceremony was a giant heart-shaped stage standing at the center of the stadium.

"Japanese aesthetics are usually considered to be understated and restrained," said Zhu Xian, an artistic director from Dafeng who served as executive producer and creative director of the opening ceremony.

"We wanted to add a bright, lively touch to that foundation — giving the ceremony a more passionate, youthful and energetic emotional tone," she said.

After rounds of discussion, the Dafeng team and their Japanese counterpart agreed on the theme "Harmonic Heart Beat", weaving Asia's diverse cultures into a shared rhythm.