Cultivating Winter Sports Excellence and Hosting the Asian Winter Games

An aerial photograph captures the Yabuli Ski Resort in Heilongjiang Province, located in the northeastern region of China. This province is known for its abundant ice and snow resources, fostering a deep-rooted tradition of winter sports that continues to achieve international recognition. Athletes from Heilongjiang have significantly contributed to China's success in the Winter Olympics, having earned a substantial number of the nation's gold medals.

The 9th Asian Winter Games will commence in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang, on February 7th. This event will bring together over 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia, marking it as the largest edition of the Winter Games in terms of participating delegations and athletes. Harbin, the birthplace of numerous Winter Olympic champions, previously hosted the 3rd Asian Winter Games in 1996 and has also been the venue for several editions of China's National Winter Games.

Harbin has a rich history of producing exceptional skaters since the establishment of its figure skating team in the 1950s. Yao Bin, a native of Harbin and a member of China's first generation of figure skaters, transitioned to coaching after his competitive career. He mentored the 2010 Winter Olympic champions Shen and Zhao, along with elite pairs Pang Qing and Tong Jian, and Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao. At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, also from Harbin, secured the top spot in pairs figure skating. Sui is currently preparing for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics with a new partner, as Han retired in 2023 due to injury.

The development of winter sports in Heilongjiang extends beyond figure skating. In the 1970s, Meng Qingyu, a coal miner from Qitaihe, gained recognition in a local skating competition, leading to his role as a skating coach. Despite challenging conditions, Meng and his team persevered, with Zhang Jie, a product of Meng's coaching, achieving international success. Zhang was the first world champion from Qitaihe, followed by other notable athletes who won short track speed skating golds at the Winter Olympics.

Qiqihar, in western Heilongjiang, established its first ice hockey team in the 1950s. As a pioneer in the sport within China, Qiqihar has hosted an annual ice hockey festival since 2017 and organizes ice hockey events throughout the year. The city currently offers numerous skating ovals and outdoor ice rinks for public use, while a significant number of ice hockey teams in local schools ensure a continuous flow of talent. Other cities in Heilongjiang, such as Yichun, Hegang, and Jixi, also contribute to the province's winter sports landscape, featuring curling, Alpine skiing, and cross-country skiing. The upcoming Asian Winter Games are expected to further promote the development of winter sports in Heilongjiang.