9th Asian Winter Games to deepen people-to-people exchanges with China: Thai PM

The 9th Asian Winter Games, which opened in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, will fuel enthusiasm for winter sports and further strengthen people-to-people exchanges between China and Thailand, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Thursday.

The Games, which opened on Friday and will run until February 14, have brought together over 1,200 competitors from 34 countries and regions, making this edition the largest in terms of participating delegations and athletes.

In an exclusive interview with China Media Group (CMG) in Beijing, Paetongtarn reflected on her past experiences in Harbin, shared her hopes for the event’s impact, and emphasized the role of sports in strengthening Thailand-China relations.

"I came to Harbin about ten years ago to watch the Ice and Snow Festival. There is no snow in Thailand, and I was deeply amazed at the time. In these Asian Winter Games, I will, of course, cheer for the Thai athletes, but I will also cheer for all the participating athletes. Although some will win and some will lose in sports competitions, the ultimate goal is to promote understanding and strengthen exchanges. I hope all athletes can fully showcase their abilities and live up to their training. This time in Harbin, I have the opportunity to speak with the athletes, take some beautiful photos, and share them with audiences in Thailand and China. Through sports exchanges and cooperation, Thailand and China can further enhance bilateral relations," she said.

Paetongtarn landed in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day official visit to China at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and, on Friday evening, attended the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games alongside Thai government officials.

Thailand sent a delegation of more than 100 people to the grand event, including its ice hockey and curling teams, which made their debut.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command is employing destroyers, frigates, fighters, bombers and unmanned aerial vehicles in coordination with long-range rocket fires to conduct training in the waters and airspace to the north and southwest of the Taiwan Strait on Monday, according to the theater command.

The training focuses on subjects of hunting and neutralizing targets in waters and airspace, simulated strikes on ground targets, and live firing against targets in waters.