30-Day Countdown to the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin Begins

The countdown has officially started for the 9th Asian Winter Games, taking place in Harbin, located in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. Scheduled to be a significant international ice and snow event, this marks China's return to major winter sports following the Beijing Winter Olympics of 2022.

The organizing committee has revealed a detailed competition timetable, with ice hockey kicking off on February 3 and curling events beginning on February 4. Team China is set to participate in the Mixed Doubles Curling Round Robin for the first time on February 4, and the competition will span across 12 days, culminating with the first gold medal being awarded on February 8.

A record-breaking 1,275 athletes from 34 different countries and regions have registered for the Games, with expectations for that number to rise further. Notably, Cambodia and Saudi Arabia will be participating for the very first time, showcasing the Games' growing inclusivity and broader international reach.

Team China has confirmed its lineup, sending more than 170 athletes to compete across all 64 events, while the event itself will feature 31 percent of competitions that are hosted for the first time. The theme, “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,” will be the driving concept behind the opening ceremony, which will be choreographed by director Sha Xiaolan, who also led the ceremonies for the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games.

Incorporating advanced AI and augmented reality technology, the opening ceremony is expected to push creative boundaries while prominently displaying ice and snow elements that emphasize the vibrancy of winter sports and the cultural significance tied to ice.