Harbin, the capital of the Chinese province of Heilongjiang, is hosting the opening ceremony of the IX Asian Winter Games on February 7. More than 1,275 athletes from 34 countries will participate in 64 competitions in 11 sports.
The program of the Asian Games includes biathlon, alpine skiing, curling, speed skating, cross-country skiing, freestyle skiing, ski mountaineering, snowboarding, figure skating, ice hockey and short track.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the top leadership of several countries, including Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov, Prime Minister of Thailand Phetong Khan Shinawatra and others. Before the ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan organized a reception for foreign delegations, CGTN, a partner of the TV BRICS network, reports.
The Chinese leader stressed that this Asian Games, held under the motto “Winter dreams, love in the center of Asia,” has become a record number of participants, countries and regions. He expressed confidence that Harbin will present to the world a unique sports festival with Chinese characteristics and Asian flavor.
The opening ceremony is taking place at the Harbin International Exhibition and Sports Center. The show consists of three parts: the first is dedicated to Harbin and its culture of ice and snow, the second is about the development of winter sports in China, and the third is about winter sports in Asia. The flame of the IX Asian Winter Games was also lit during the event.
The Asian Games will last until February 14th. The first gold of the competition will be awarded on February 8.
Source https://tvbrics.com/news/v-kitayskom-kharbine-otkrylis-zimnie-aziatskie-igry/
