Alibaba Group becomes official partner of Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games

EE News Desk Dec 10, 2019

The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Organising Committee (“Hangzhou 2022”) and Alibaba Group (“Alibaba”) (NYSE: BABA; SEHK: 09988) today announced a partnership to create a first-of-its-kind “smart” regional sports event.

Hangzhou 2022 will strive to be the first “Asian Games on the cloud.” Alibaba Cloud’s data intelligent technologies will be applied to Hangzhou 2022’s core systems, including competition results, event management and support. Nearly 10,000 athletes, hundreds of thousands of staff, spectators and visitors from 45 countries and regions will participate in or enjoy the Asian Games, tapping Alibaba Cloud technologies, including cloud computing, data intelligence, IoT (Internet of Things) and smart technology applications.

“Born in Hangzhou, Alibaba Group will devote its digital capabilities accumulated over the past 20 years to support Hangzhou 2022. As the official partner, we will offer leading technologies and services of the Alibaba Digital Economy, including cloud computing, information technology, fintech, e-commerce, and local services, and push forward with our ongoing green initiatives, bringing a comprehensive and innovative event experience,” said Daniel Zhang, Executive Chairman and CEO of Alibaba Group. The agreement was signed using the Blockchain Trusted Depository Technology provided by Alipay, a payment and lifestyle platform operated by Alibaba Group’s affiliate Ant Financial Services Group.

This is the first time the technology is applied for the signing of such a largescale international event. Alipay’s blockchain technologies will be further applied in Hangzhou 2022, including transportation, agreement signing, IP (Intellectual Property) protection and ticketing.

Guests from all over the world will also enjoy a new digital experience at Hangzhou 2022, through a dedicated Alipay mini program. This will integrate the Alibaba Digital Economy’s capabilities to streamline access to 18 services, including accommodation, transport, ticketing, and catering. For example, the mini program will provide travel solutions between Shanghai, the international transport hub of Eastern China, and the six cities hosting Asian Games events: Hangzhou, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Jinhua, Shaoxing and Deqing.

Alipay will also provide mobile payment services throughout Hangzhou 2022, covering 90 Asian Games service locations in the six host cities, and the four cross-border ports: Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Urumqi. Users will be able to use integrated mobile payment services with their e-wallets.

Hangzhou 2022 also launched its flagship store on Tmall today. It’s the first-ever licensed retail store for the event, providing global consumers with licensed souvenirs, such as badges, stationery and stamps. Alibaba's other e-commerce platforms, including Taobao, Lazada, AliExpress and alibaba.com, will also support Hangzhou 2022.

Hangzhou 2022 will be the first Asian Games that invites the public to participate in the event through their green and low-carbon behavior. Staring December 10, through the Alipay Ant Forest green initiative incorporated in the payments app, users can contribute green energy generated through low-carbon activities to grow a virtual tree. With enough energy points, the virtual tree can be converted into a real tree and planted in the "Hangzhou Asian Games Dream Forest,” to be located in an arid region in China.