A Celebration of Sportsmanship and Cultural Exchange

Harbin Ready to Host the 9th Asian Winter Games

With just 15 days remaining, Harbin is gearing up to host the 9th Asian Winter Games, a highly anticipated sporting and cultural event. The organizing committee has confirmed that all preparations are complete and the city is eagerly awaiting guests from around the world.

"Harbin sincerely invites guests from all over the world to attend this sports and cultural feast, share the passion of the Asian Winter Games, and experience the charm of ice and snow in Harbin," said Zhang Haihua, deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee.

The Games, scheduled to begin on February 7th, will witness the largest participation of Asian countries and regions to date, with over 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and regions. The first competition will take place on February 3rd, with China's team making its debut on February 4th. The first gold medal will be awarded on the morning of February 8th.

All 13 competition venues, including five ice-sports facilities in downtown Harbin and eight snow-event venues in Yabuli, have undergone renovations and equipment upgrades to ensure safety and meet environmental protection standards. These venues have successfully passed safety tests and are ready to host the athletes.

"Since October 2024, we have held 17 trial events across all venues and competition disciplines," said Zhuang Shichao, deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee. These trial events have allowed the organizers to comprehensively assess venue operations, equipment and facilities, security, and command and dispatch systems. Emergency plans have been improved, regular drills conducted, and protocols established for rapid responses to emergencies.

Furthermore, a professional meteorological team equipped with automated monitoring tools has been created to provide precise forecasting services and guarantee the smooth running of the Games.

Financial infrastructure has also been strengthened to support the event. A financial payment service guarantee system has been developed with diverse payment methods, extensive application scenarios, and secure operations. The Heilongjiang branch of the People's Bank of China has partnered with institutions like Bank of China and Harbin Bank to improve payment systems. Additionally, thirteen foreign exchange agencies, one foreign currency exchange machine, and 23 ATMs have been installed at competition venues, offering card services for all transactions within the venues.

With all preparations in place, Harbin is ready to welcome the world and host a successful and memorable 9th Asian Winter Games. The city is confident that the event will be a celebration of sportsmanship, cultural exchange, and the spirit of winter sports.