The 2nd Coordination Committee Meeting of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 is held in Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province, on Sept 11. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Karate, climbing and baseball and softball will be included in the lineup of the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 -- taking the number of approved sports to 40, according to the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee on Sept 11.

A total of 37 competition sports have been approved so far. There are 28 Olympic sports such as swimming, archery, and track and field and nine non-Olympic sports such as wushu, also known as Chinese kungfu and cricket.

Hangzhou will speed up preparations for the Asian Games over the next three years, with stadium construction and hi-tech presentations in full swing, said Chen Weiqiang, vice mayor of Hangzhou.

Chen added that 460-470 gold medals will be awarded during the games.

The 19th Asian Games will be staged on Sept 10-25 in 2022 in Hangzhou.