Athletes have shared their excitement at finally being able to hit the snow and ice as the 9th Asian Winter Games officially opened in northeast China's "ice city" of Harbin on Friday, with many aiming to deliver their best performances in their quest for glory.
The week-long event has gathered over 1,200 competitors from 34 countries and regions who will compete in a total of 64 events across 11 winter sports disciplines, making this the largest ever edition of the Games in terms of overall participation.
For all competitors, whether seasoned veterans or eager first-timers, the Asian Winter Games provides an opportunity to showcase their dedication and enthusiasm in their chosen sport.
Alexandra Skorokhodova, a young alpine skier representing Kazakhstan, said she is keen to get out there and show what she can do. The 19-year-old admits she was too young to properly remember the 2011 Asian Winter Games in Kazakhstan, but is now hoping to make a big impression in Harbin.
"I wasn't really a professional athlete yet when it was 2011, I was still a kid. I wasn't even in the big sport yet, so I didn't actually see how it was like in Almaty, in Kazakhstan. But here it's really pretty, everything is really organized, the mountains are perfect, and I think we're going to have a really nice race. And yes, it's my first time here in China and also in Harbin. And it's also my first time when I'm racing in the Asian Games, so my expectations are really big. And hopefully I am going to show my best result here," she said.
Meanwhile, home hopes are high for Chinese freestyle ski star Liu Mengting after she claimed her first freeski Big Air World Cup championship in Austria last month. The 20-year-old Liu was also thrilled to have the honor of being chosen as one of China's flag bearers at Friday night's opening ceremony.
She also expressed her pride at representing Team China on the international stage and is aiming to continue her successful start to the year.
"did not expect that I could be the flag bearer. I was quite delighted and excited. My goal is to stand on the podium, and I aim to be on the highest step," said Liu.
Athletes aim to deliver best performances in pursuit of glory at Asian Winter Games
The Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2 began preview screenings in London on Friday ahead of its official release in the country and Ireland on March 21, attracting excited crowds to watch the film in advance.
The film made its debut in the UK at London's BFI IMAX, home to the country's largest IMAX screen and is scheduled to screen in over 250 cinemas of 100 cities across the UK and Ireland during the first week of release.
The film's Europe-wide distributor, Trinity CineAsia, announced that it has acquired theatrical distribution rights for Ne Zha 2 across 37 countries in Europe, including the UK, Ireland, and Germany. This scale of film release is exceptionally rare in the history of overseas distribution for Chinese-language films, reflecting the strong confidence of local cinemas in the movie's market potential.
"The fact that it is here and, you know, that we are getting a lot more influx of films from all across Asia from China, South Korea, Japan, South Asia as well. I think it's really good to kind of like widen the palate, because we all want to escape our little cinematic bubble and see what the rest of the world has to offer," said Jack Martin, a film reviewer, in an interview with the China Central Television (CCTV).
"Ne Zha 2" has shattered global box office records to become the No. 1 box office animated film of all times and also the first non-Hollywood production to crack the global all-time top 10 box office chart.
Rooted in 16th-century Chinese mythology with a bold reinterpretation, the movie has attracted attention of global audiences with its stunning visuals, well-crafted storytelling, and deep cultural heritage.
"And I think all these elements show that Ne Zha 2 is both a film that's modern, but also has its roots in something very deep and very ancient," said Cedric Behrel, managing director of Trinity CineAsia, in an interview with the CCTV.
Many audiences attending the preview screening in London have shared their thoughts about the movie in interviews with the CCTV.
"It was moving like heartwarming. Yes, I'll go home now and talk to it to all my friends," said a moviegoer.
"I thought that the humor of the film was really great, but it balances so perfectly with some of the more dramatic and heartfelt moments of it. And yeah, I really, really enjoyed it. And the language barrier was not a problem at all," said another moviegoer.
"We might not speak the same language, but at its heart is a very universal theme of friendship and just trying to do right in the world. And I think that a lot of people really resonate with that. I can see why it's done so well in China already," said Jack Martin.
James Smith, an social media influencer, shared his views about the movie in Chinese language during the interview. He thought the movie can serve as a bridge for foreigners to understand Chinese culture.
"I watched Ne Zha, the 2019 box office hit, in China. When I heard that its sequel was set to debut in the UK today, I rushed to the cinema to see it. It's definitely a great movie, filled with humor, touching moments, and encouragement. My friends often ask me how they can better understand China, because they think I know something about the country. I would say that you can watch the Ne Zha 2, as I believe it's a great film and through which you can learn something about Chinese culture," he said.
Ne Zha 2 begins preview screenings in London, captivating local audiences
