The Chinese delegation, led by Olympic short-track speed skater Ning Zhongyan and figure skater Liu Mengting, made a vibrant entrance at the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin on Friday. Wearing bold red-and-white uniforms symbolizing unity and athletic ambition, the team marched into the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center to cheers from a global audience.
The ceremony highlighted Harbin’s role as a winter sports hub, blending traditional Northeast Chinese cultural motifs with futuristic digital displays. The Games, held for the first time in China since 1996, aim to cement Asia’s growing influence in winter athletics ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Over 1,000 athletes from over 30 countries and regions will compete in events like ice hockey, skiing, and curling. Analysts note the Games’ focus on sustainability, with venues powered by renewable energy and legacy plans to boost youth sports participation regionally.
Ning, a World Cup medalist, told state media: 'This moment isn’t just about competition—it’s about bringing people together through sport.' The event underscores China’s push to expand winter tourism and athletic innovation, aligning with its '300 million people on ice and snow' initiative launched after Beijing 2022.
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Chinese delegation enters stadium at Harbin Games opening ceremony
cgtn.com
