With the 9th Asian Winter Games around the corner, the airport in the host city Harbin in northeast China experienced its first daily peak in delegations' arrivals on Saturday as athletes and officials from across Asia began pouring in.
As the official port of entry for the Games, Harbin Taiping International Airport has streamlined customs clearance procedure to ease the surge. At peak hours, 12 manual channels and eight express lanes, including four dedicated to Games participants, were operational to ensure smooth and efficient entry.
More than 100 participants from delegations of South Korea, Japan, Singapore, India, the Philippines and other countries arrived at the airport on Saturday.
To manage the influx, staff deployed advanced inspection equipment, completing luggage scanning and clearance in six seconds on average.
"We've deployed all-in-one smart devices in the inspection area, which integrate the functions of the translator, adjustable verification desk, and biometric system, to ensure fast and efficient clearance for all Games-related personnel," said Zhang Lei, an officer of the Harbin Immigration Inspection Station.
An estimated 5,000 individuals involved in the Games are expected to pass through Harbin airport, with several smaller arrival peaks anticipated in the coming days.
The Games will also offer an opportunity for cultural and sports exchanges across the region while serving as a competition arena.
"I'm really looking forward to this visit and I'm excited because this is the first time my son will be taking part in a big event like this. Yeah, so it's a big thing for him and it's a big thing for us because it has great venue. We're really looking forward to the competition," said Sharish, father of a young Indian athlete.
"I think it's a really great platform for the athletes to engage together. It's also a very good place for cultural exchange I guess," said Koo Jeewoo, a South Korean athlete.
The 9th Asian Winter Games will take place from Feb 7 to 14. The Games will feature six sports, 11 disciplines, and 64 events. This marks the third time that the Games will be hosted in China, following the events in Harbin in 1996 and Changchun, the provincial capital of Jilin, in 2007.
Delegations arrive in Harbin for Asian Winter Games
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
