The 16th Asian Games, part of the worldwide Olympic movement and governed by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) is pleased to announce the opening of its 40,000 sq m Main Media Centre (MMC) to all accredited news media.

?The photo taken on Oct. 29, 2010 shows the Main Media Centre for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong Province. The Main Media Centre including MPC (Main Press Centre) and IBC (International Broadcasting Centre) opens on Nov. 1, 2010. [photo/Liu Dawei]

?The photo taken on Nov.1, 2010 shows the interior view of the Main Media Centre for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong Province.[photo/Chen Yehua]

?A journalist works at the press room at the Main Media Centre for the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, southern China's Guangdong Province.

The Asian Games are the second largest sports event in the world after the Summer Olympic Games.

Amidst fanfare and a military marching band, officials from the Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee as well as a phalanx of provincial government officials were on hand to cut the ceremonial red ribbon and officially open the Main Media Centre.

The MMC of the 16th Asian Games comprises the Main Press Centre on the building's ground floor (used primarily by print media) and International Broadcast Centre in the second, third and fourth floors (used primarily for the Guangzhou Asian Games Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (GAB) and Rights Holding Broadcasters (RHBs)).

Taken as a whole, the MMC for these Asian Games are the largest of any previous Games.

More than 9,000 accredited journalists are expected to use the MMC as their base of operations for editorial coverage of the Games.

Here are some additional statistics:

Meals are available in the Media Dining Area with seating for 1,600;

More than 2,500 sq m of private office space has been reserved for 22 press organisations and National Olympic Committees taking part in the Games.

The MPC will be open 24-hours a day during the Games - starting Saturday, November 6.

The Media Village and the Athletes' Village are open and ready to accept media and athletes.