China Prioritizes Winter Sports as Economic Catalyst
Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called for accelerated development of winter sports and related industries during his recent visit to Heilongjiang Province, positioning frosty recreation as a key driver for economic revitalization. Speaking at the Harbin Songhua River Ice and Snow Carnival, Li emphasized leveraging local resources to create public-friendly venues and immersive winter experiences that blend culture with commerce.
The premier highlighted how the 9th Asian Winter Games boosted public interest in ice sports, urging stakeholders to \"channel this momentum into mass participation\" while expanding equipment manufacturing and tech-driven tourism innovations. Over 200 local enterprises specializing in cold-weather gear and immersive tech reported 34% year-on-year growth in Q4 2023, per provincial data.
Li\'s roadmap includes:
- Developing VR-enhanced snow resorts and AI-powered visitor management systems
- Doubling investment in sustainable winter infrastructure by 2025
- Launching international design collaborations for cultural products
This initiative aligns with China\'s broader push to unlock $85 billion in winter economy opportunities by 2030 while meeting public demand for year-round leisure activities.
Reference(s):
Chinese premier stresses development of winter sports, economy
cgtn.com
