During the ceremony, the lettering of www.hangzhou2022.cn was ignited, signifying the launch of the Hangzhou 2022 Organising Committee's (HAGOC) official website.

Using the site as the main platform, HAGOC then launched its global call for emblem design proposals.

Qi Xiaohu, HAGOC's deputy secretary general, was among those who pressed their palms on a big screen, resulting in the outdoor screens at the city’s landmark sites simultaneously displaying the domain of the official website as well as a video entitled "Invitation from the West Lake: HAGOC’s global call for emblem design proposals for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022".

Also a member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Hangzhou Municipal Standing Committee and director of the publicity department of the CPC Hangzhou Municipal Committee, Qi was joined in doing so by fellow deputy secretary generals Chen Guomei and Lu Lin, who also serve as Deputy Mayor of Hangzhou and deputy director of the Zhejiang Provincial Bureau of Sport respectively.

Olympic swimming champion Luo Xuejuan, an ambassador for Hangzhou's bid for the Games, also took part along with Kong Shengdong, described as a national ethical role model, and Wang Yang, an amateur athlete representing the public.

The event’s emblem is considered an important visual element of Hangzhou 2022, serving as the major carrier to showcase the host city’s visions of the Asian Games and Chinese culture.

Designs are being encouraged based around various key words and phrases: green, smart, economical, ethical, Chinese grandeur, Southern China style, Hangzhou charm, innovation, development, prosperity, progress, participation, unity, sports, strength, Asia, happy gathering and festivity.

HAGOC claims the emblem should reflect not only the Olympic spirit, but also the culture and values of China and Hangzhou.

"The proposals should be inspiring, motivational, visually attractive, suitable for TV broadcast and applications in new technology," a statement reads.

Technical and legal documents on design and submission can be downloaded from the official website.

The global call for designs is due to run until March 31, 2018.

Proposals can be submitted from March 21 to 31.

HAGOC will set up a judging panel to evaluate all the proposals.

Ten proposals will be shortlisted and CNY10,000 (£1,100/$1,600/€1,300) will be awarded to each.

A total of CNY120,000 (£14,000/$19,000/€16,000) will be awarded to the designer of the winning entry.

More than 200 people attended the launch ceremony, including officials of Hangzhou and Zhejiang Provincial Departments, representatives of co-host cities outside Hangzhou, districts and counties, athletes, coaches, referees, delegations from universities and design institutions, volunteers, local citizens, HAGOC staff and the official website development team.

Hangzhou was chosen by acclamation to host the event at the 2015 Olympic Council of Asia General Assembly, held in Turkmenistan’s capital Ashgabat. 

The city will become the first Chinese host of the continent's showpiece event since Guangzhou in 2010, and the third overall following Beijing in 1990.

It has agreed with the principle of launching a "green, smart, economical and civilised" Games, based on the foundations set by Incheon 2014.

Jakarta and Palembang in Indonesia are scheduled to host the next edition of the Asian Games, this year.