The launch ceremony of the China Mobile Cup English Star Contest for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 is held in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province on Thursday. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee will join hands with China Daily to hold an English star contest in a bid to promote the spirit of the Asian Games, facilitate the Games' volunteer recruitment and showcase the charms of the host city.

The launch ceremony of the China Mobile Cup English Star Contest for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 was held in Hangzhou, capital of East China's Zhejiang province on Thursday.

Husain Al-Musallam, director general of the Olympic Council of Asia, offered his congratulations on the launch ceremony of the contest through a video recording on the same day.

"Volunteers are one of the most important pillars of the Asian Games, and the English star contest will provide an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for people and students to be associated with the Asian Games," said Musallam, who encouraged people to come forward and participate in the contest, and be part of the Asian Games Hangzhou 2022.

Themed on "Together, we achieve more!" the English star contest will run from May to October.

Three kind of individuals will be qualified to take part into the contest－Chinese students (including undergraduate and junior college students, master and doctoral students) without limitation in age and majors; Chinese citizens at least 18 years of age; non-Chinese citizens aged 18 or above without limitation in education background and occupation.

All contestants are required to submit video works for the preliminary competition, including a 30-second self-introduction in English and a 1.5-minute English keynote speech themed on "Life shines on life".

Results in the preliminary round will be announced in August. Four thousand qualified contestants will be selected to go into the semi-finals and finals in September and October to exhibit their abilities in English public speaking, interviews conducting and a talent show.

The excellent contestants will be preferred for recruitment as volunteers of the Hangzhou Asian Games and Para Games.

The winner, runner-up and second runner-up of each group will have the chance to advance to the semi-finals of the 21st Century Cup National English Speaking Competition.

The outstanding contestants and their works will have the opportunity to be reported by national media platforms.

The poem Sonnet 18 performed by high school students Ge Jing & Wang Licheng at the China Mobile Cup English Star Contest on May 20, a day celebrated by China's valentines. [Video/chinadaily.com.cn]