The biggest and best by far

"It carries the message for the youth and for the world that we look for peace and harmony through sports. So, in that manner, you can't get a better slogan than 'heart to heart'.

"I think this is something that you should carry forward, not only in the world of sport, but all over the world that we live in. This is the attitude that we would like to keep and we would like everyone to promote."

With action in eight sports already underway, the host's exemplary preparatory work in all aspects — from the readiness of venues to the accommodation at the athletes' village to the diverse cultural events on offer — has deeply impressed participating delegations.

Malaysian athletes are enjoying their experience in Hangzhou even more than the Olympics, according to Dato Chong Kim Fatt, head of the Malaysia delegation.

"The sports world was stopped by COVID for a few years. Now the Hangzhou Asian Games allow us to move forward into a new era for the global sports community," Chong said on Friday, following a ceremony at which the Malaysian delegation gifted cultural exhibits to the Hangzhou Asian Games Museum.

"At a meeting of chefs de mission two days ago, a lot of us agreed that Hangzhou is the best Asian Games ever, and could also surpass the Olympic Games," said Chong, who is also a vice-president of the Malaysian Olympic Committee.