9th Asian Winter Games Set to Kick Off in Harbin, China

The upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games are scheduled for February 7-14 in Harbin, located in Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. According to CCTV News, Indian athlete Amitesh Mishra has the distinction of being the first foreign competitor to enter China utilizing his identity card for the 2025 Asian Winter Games at the Harbin Airport. In an interview, Mishra expressed his enthusiasm, stating that he looks forward to the event and appreciates China's capability in organizing such competitions.

Foreign athletes and their support staff participating in the Asian Winter Games will be able to enter and exit China several times using their valid passports and registration cards specifically for the 2025 Games from January to March. Geng Fuquan, from the Harbin Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station, mentioned that specialized channels have been constructed for smooth entry into the country, and staff will be dynamically adjusted based on the number of travelers to ensure efficient processing.

The official website for the 9th Asian Winter Games indicated that a fast-track entry channel was opened at Harbin Airport last Friday, with tickets for the event becoming available the following day. The Games will include six principal events, alongside 11 sub-events encompassing a total of 64 disciplines. Competitions will span across biathlon, curling, ice hockey, skating, skiing, and ski mountaineering, with categories for men, women, and mixed-gender competitions.

This will mark the third time that China has hosted the Asian Winter Games, having previously organized them in Harbin in 1996 and in Changchun in 2007.