This year's event features all 45 members of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) for the first time in its history. 15 countries and regions, including Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan, will make their debut this year.

A trio of lasers flashed to ignite the Games' torch after six athletes initiated the lighting ceremony.

China has dispatched a delegation composed of over 260 athletes to compete in all events. Figure skater Zhao Hongbo carried the flag for the team during the opening ceremony.

Japan dispatched the second largest delegation, with over 110 athletes, while South Korea has the third largest team. Host of the next Games, Kazakhstan, ranks fourth in the number of athletes in its delegation.

The weeklong Games, to be co-hosted by Changchun and nearby cities in northeast China's Jilin Province, will give out 369 medals covering five main events, including figure skating, ice hockey and speed skating.