IOC president explores Chinese culture, art ahead of Harbin Asian Winter Games

China

IOC president explores Chinese culture, art ahead of Harbin Asian Winter Games

2025-02-07 17:33 Last Updated At：20:37

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach took the opportunity to explore China's rich cultural heritage on Friday, saying that each visit to China offers him valuable learning opportunities, as he prepares to attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

Bach was present at a banquet hosted by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan on Friday noon to welcome distinguished guests who are attending the Games' opening ceremony later that evening.

Prior to entering the banquet hall, Bach visited an exhibition showcasing China's intangible cultural treasures, including its exquisite birch bark craftsmanship and shell artworks, in the guests' lounge.

"It's always great at these kind of occasions to become even more familiar with Chinese culture and arts. And here in China, you can always learn something new, and I learned now about the river and the shells and those beautiful pieces. I'm always curious to know even more about China," Bach said.

Archaeological studies have found that birch bark culture has a history of over 3,000 years, and is mostly found in areas such as China, Russia and Japan as well as other countries with abundant birch resources. The traditional birch bark craftsmanship is still preserved by nomadic ethnic minorities living in northeast China.

The 9th Asian Winter Games, which will run from Feb 7-14, is bringing together more than 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and regions, making it the largest ever edition of the regional games in terms of participation.

The Games marks China's first major international ice and snow event since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The opening ceremony is set to get underway at 20:00 local time Friday at the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition, and Sports Center.

Trump claims full control of Strait of Hormuz as Iran draws up retaliation target list

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that the United States had "total control" over the Strait of Hormuz and that it was "sealed up tight" until such time as Iran was able to make a deal, while Iran had drawn up a target list for retaliation against the United States and its allies.

Trump made the remarks in a social media post, adding that "no ship can enter or leave without the approval of the United States Navy."

He also said on Thursday that he has ordered the U.S. Navy "to shoot and kill" any boat putting mines in the waters of the Strait of Hormuz.

There is to be "no hesitation" for U.S. forces to attack Iran's "small boats" putting mines, and the U.S. minesweepers are clearing the Strait of Hormuz right now, Trump said on his Truth Social.

Meanwhile, against the backdrop of diplomatic setbacks and a lack of trust in negotiations, Iran has drawn up a target list, based on the principles of reciprocal response and offensive deterrence, to address potential military actions by the United States and its allies.

Iran has prepared different responses for different scenarios: striking enemy power plants if its own are hit; targeting U.S. allies' energy facilities if its oil and gas sector is attacked, with the aim of cutting global oil output by 25 million barrels a day for one year; hitting AI and IT centers if its officials are assassinated; and launching massive missile and drone strikes against enemy aircraft carriers and helicopters if its territory is violated.

Iran also threatened to block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and completely seal the Strait of Hormuz through large-scale mining if a U.S. naval blockade continues or escalates.

Should the U.S. launch a ground invasion using regional bases, Iran said it would coordinate with resistance front forces and local armed groups to capture U.S. soldiers. Surprise attacks on U.S. interests outside the region are also possible.