On a release ceremony in Guangzhou, “Reunion”, a song with its lyrics composed by SEM alumnus XU Rongkai, was officially selected as the theme song for the 16th Asian Games.

Among three finalists for the theme song selection, “Reunion” came out as the favorite choice in an online poll that started on August 2, 2010. It has received 1,624,315 votes, followed by "Sunshine again" and "Glorious presence" with 1,586,265 and 1,504,154 votes respectively.

The music composer of "Reunion" is Lao Zai (WU Liqun). The lyrics written by XU Rongkai have been translated into English by Nobel Prize winner YANG Zhenning and his wife WENG Fan. The name "Reunion" indicates that the Asian Games is not only a sporting event but also a grand quadrennial gathering of friends from different parts of Asia.

From right to left: lyrics composer XU Rongkai, lyrics translators WENG Fan and YANG Zhenning, song singers MAO A'min and SUN Nan, music composer Lao Zai

Lyrics of "Reunion" (English translation by YANG Zhenning and WENG Fan)

Myriad rivers and mountains

How far apart

The Pearl River curves out her hand, pulling together

The mountains in the distance

The gathering across the sea

It’s hard to say goodbye on a verdant fair ground

Asia, where the sun has risen

Asia, where civilizations were born

Here is the most beautiful

Here is the most bright

We meet again

Regardless of black or blue eyes

Rush to reap our splendor

Raise our pride above our heads

Asia, where the sun rises

Asia, where civilizations were born

Asia is the most beautiful paradise

Beneath the shining sun