9th Asian Winter Games to begin today in the Harbin, China

HARBIN: The 9^th Asian Winter Games officially launched in Harbin, Heilongjiang province, China, marking a huge celebration of winter sports and cultural exchange.

Over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions will be participating in the Games.

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The city was transformed into winter wonderland: a stunning spectacle featuring intricate ice sculptures that showcase the Asian Winter Games’ logo and various winter sports, attracting attention from both, residents and tourists.

The events’ mascots, Binbin and Nini, inspired by Siberian tiget cubs, were prominently displayed thorough the city, symbolising strength and resilience.

The emblem, titled “Breakthrough”, creatively combined elements of the Chinese tradition with Olympic ideals, reflecting the unique identity of Harbin and the Olympic motto of ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”.

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The opening ceremony will be held on Friday evening and will feature an innovative design that synchronises performance between the main venue at the Harbin International Exhibition Centre and a secondary venue at Harbin Ice-Snow World.