9th Asian Winter Games Kick Off in Harbin, China

The 9th Asian Winter Games officially kicked off in Harbin, northeast China, on Friday under the theme “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,” Anadolu Agency reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping inaugurated the event in Heilongjiang province, as reported by Xinhua News Agency.

This year, approximately 1,300 athletes from 34 countries and regions, including North Korea, Japan, and South Korea, are participating, surpassing the 2017 games’ attendance in Sapporo, Japan.

The competition, held every four years, will take place from February 7 to 14. This marks China’s third time hosting the Asian Winter Games.