Xi Jinping Opens the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin

Chinese President Xi Jinping marked the beginning of the 9th Asian Winter Games in a festive ceremony held at Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center. Amid jubilant cheers from more than 8,000 spectators, Xi, alongside visiting dignitaries such as International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, declared the Games officially open. The ceremony highlighted Harbin’s unique ice and snow culture, setting a vibrant tone for the international competition ahead.

A memorable moment of the opening ceremony was the lighting of the lilac-shaped cauldron, which took place at Harbin Ice and Snow World, the world’s largest ice and snow theme park. Four distinguished torchbearers—short track speed skater Yang Yang, freestyle skier Han Xiaopeng, race walk champion Wang Zhen, and speed skating champion Zhang Hong—joined forces with children holding ice lanterns to ignite the cauldron, symbolizing a united spirit in the winter sports community.

The Games, which run from February 7 to 14 and bear the slogan "Dream of Winter, Love among Asia," represent another milestone in China’s hosting of major international winter sports events, following the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022. This marks the country’s third time hosting the Asian Winter Games after previous events in Harbin 1996 and Changchun 2007. A record number of 34 countries and regions have sent athletes to compete, with over 1,200 participants in ice and snow events spread between Harbin and Yabuli. The Chinese delegation, including prominent figures such as speed skater Ning Zhongyan and skier Liu Mengting who led the national flag bearer segment at the parade, features a robust team of 257 members committed to competing in 64 events across six disciplines.