Thousands watch Asian Games closing ceremony

China's premier Li Qiang joined thousands of spectators for a colourful and "joy"-themed closing ceremony for the 19th Asian Games at the Olympic Stadium in Hangzhou on Sunday.

Hundreds of dancers wearing glittery outfits and waving lights skipped, shimmied and jigged around, among and occasionally with the athletes. Many stood in a large circle facing spectators and waving their lights like cheerleaders.

Taking place amid tight security, the ceremony planned to showcase some of the highlights from the more than two weeks of competition and to signal a handover to the hosts of the next Asian Games in 2026, the Japanese city Nagoya.

With athletes energised by warm support from home fans, China topped the medals table for an 11th successive Games, taking an artistic swimming title on the final day.

The hosts' 201st gold left them two better than their previous best of 199 at the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.

The very last gold went to Taiwan's Gu Shiau-shuang, who beat Kazakhstan's Moldir Zhangbyrbay in the karate, defending the women's 50 kg kumite title she won in Jakarta in 2018.

Taiwan's 19th gold medal equalled their best ever haul achieved at the Bangkok Games in 1998.

Japan took the other title on Sunday, edging Macau in the men's team kata karate competition.

The UAE finished with five golds, five silvers and ten bronze medals to finish 16th in the medals table