The 1990 Asian Games in Beijing marked China's first hosting of the event and its record-breaking dominance, winning over 100 gold medals in a single edition.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 11th Asian Games (XI Asiad)
- Dates
- September 22 – October 7, 1990
- China gold medal share
- 60% of all gold medals
- China total medal share
- 34% of total medals
- Historic milestone
- First nation to win 100+ golds in one Asian Games edition
- Taiwan participation
- First appearance as Chinese Taipei
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
China sought to raise its international sporting profile and demonstrate organizational capacity for large-scale multi-sport events. Beijing was awarded hosting rights, making the 1990 Asian Games the first edition held on Chinese soil and a platform for showcasing national athletic development.
Held from September 22 to October 7, 1990, in Beijing, the XI Asiad brought together athletes from across Asia. China dominated the competition, claiming approximately 60% of gold medals and becoming the first nation in Asian Games history to surpass 100 gold medals and 300 total medals in a single edition.
China's success accelerated its ambitions as a global sporting power, leading to bids for the 2000 Summer Olympics and eventual hosting of the 2001 Summer Universiade, the 2008 Summer Olympics, and the 2022 Winter Olympics. The games also marked Taiwan's debut at the Asian Games under the designation Chinese Taipei.
Result
at Beijing, China