The 9th Asian Winter Games officially opened in Harbin on Friday night, marking a celebration of the city's rich ice and snow culture. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the opening declaration amidst a festive atmosphere that captivated over 8,000 spectators at the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center.
The event drew notable dignitaries, including International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, highlighting the Games' significance on the global stage. The highlight of the evening was the lighting of the lilac-shaped cauldron at Harbin Ice and Snow World, the world's largest ice and snow theme park. This moment was made memorable by four esteemed torchbearers: two-time Olympic champion short track speed skater Yang Yang, China's first male Winter Olympic gold medalist freestyle skier Han Xiaopeng, Olympic race walk champion Wang Zhen, and Sochi Winter Olympics speed skating champion Zhang Hong, alongside children holding ice lanterns.
Running from February 7 to 14, the Games operate under the slogan \"Dream of Winter, Love among Asia.\" This event follows China's successful hosting of the Beijing Winter Olympics in 2022 and marks the third time the country has hosted the Asian Winter Games, previously in Harbin 1996 and Changchun 2007. The Games are set to showcase emerging winter sports talents and foster greater cultural exchange among Asian nations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
