Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Asian Winter Games began with an opening ceremony in Harbin, China, featuring 34 participating countries across 11 sports.

Delegation of China parade during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Feb 7, 2025. [Photo by Wei Xiaohao/chinadaily.com.cn] HARBIN -- The parade of athletes at the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin has begun on Friday evening.

President Thomas Bach, who is in Harbin attending the Asian Winter Games' opening ceremony, told Xinhua Friday the event would exceed expectations. Bach said, "I'm here in the traditional winter sport center of China and see the great development over the last six years,

HARBIN, China, Feb. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At 20:00 on February 7, 2025, the 9th Asian Winter Games (AWG) will open with a creative ceremony as reported in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, reputed as the country's "Ice Capital".

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin northeast Chi

The ninth Asian Winter Games opened in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin on Friday with a celebration of athletes from across the continent. Hosting the Winter Asiad for the second time under the motto,