Official introduces design concept behind Asian Winter Games lighting ceremony

The lighting of the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games created a striking contrast, offering a sense of warmth amid the vast icy landscape, according to an official from the Harbin Asian Winter Games Organizing Committee.

The 9th Asian Winter Games officially kicked off on Friday night with a festive ceremony highlighting the snow and ice culture of the host city Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

After the athletes' parade and a gala performance, the opening ceremony reached its climax with the lighting of the main torch tower.

Joined by children holding ice lanterns, four Chinese torchbearers, including China's first Winter Olympic champion and short track speed skater Yang Yang, China's first male Winter Olympic gold medalist and freestyle skier Han Xiaopeng, Olympic race walk champion Wang Zhen, and Sochi Winter Olympic speed skating champion Zhang Hong, lit the cauldron in a shape of a blooming lilac flower at the opening ceremony's sub-venue, Harbin Ice and Snow World, the world's largest ice and snow theme park.

At a post-ceremony press conference on Friday night, Zhou Wei, deputy director of the ceremonies and events department of Harbin Asian Winter Games Organizing Committee, introduced the design concept behind the lighting ceremony of the cauldron.

"For this opening ceremony, we chose to hold the lighting ceremony at Harbin's Ice and Snow World, the largest ice and snow theme park in the world. Lighting the cauldron in such a setting created a unique contrast, allowing our audience to feel warmth and strength amid the vast icy landscape. The design of this year's Asian Winter Games cauldron tower was inspired by Harbin's city flower, the lilac. The lighting ceremony itself is named 'Light Up Asia,' and our specially crafted fireworks lit up the sky, perfectly embodying the theme of this year's Games, 'Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,'" he said.

The flame for the Games was lit at the Sun Island Scenic Area in Harbin on January 20. The torch relay involved 120 torchbearers on a route featuring landmarks in the city, including Harbin Central Street, and the Songhua River.

Over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia are competing in 64 events across six sports, making this edition the largest Asian Winter Games in terms of participating delegations and athletes. The Games will conclude on February 14.

Official introduces design concept behind Asian Winter Games lighting ceremony

Hong Kong's first astronaut lifted off into space on Sunday, sparking a wave of enthusiasm for space exploration in the special administrative region, while inspiring a new generation to look to the stars.

The Shenzhou-23 crewed spaceship, atop a Long March-2F carrier rocket, blasted off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 23:08 (Beijing Time) on Sunday. The crew members include Lai Ka-ying, the first astronaut and payload specialist from Hong Kong to join a national space mission, whose achievements have motivated many Hong Kong residents.

"I feel so happy and thrilled. This is the first time a Hong Kong astronaut has gone to space, and to see a true Hong Konger, who is also a mother of three, just really touches my heart," said Chow, a local resident.

The successful spaceflight of Lai has especially captivated the younger generation to dream bigger about the future.

"I want to be an astronaut, because I want to discover more things about space," said a young student surnamed Chow.

"I have seen things related to spaceflights of astronauts. I hope when I grow up, I could receive training and go to space myself," said another student surnamed Koo.

To meet public expectations, the Hong Kong Space Museum has updated its space-themed exhibition with the latest development of the Shenzhou-23 mission, extending the display until July 6. Parents are seizing the moment to enrich their children's knowledge.

"At his age, I want him to be exposed to a wide range of information. With all the recent astronaut news, I brought him here specially to see for himself. We will also check out a film about space knowledge at the planetarium. I hope he can get more out of this from an early age," said Cheung, a father.

"We just watched the Shenzhou-23 launch at home with my son last night, and decided to take him to the Space Museum," a mother surnamed Chun shared.

"I saw on TV that so many people were cheering for the launch. When the rocket was launched, fire burst out from its body. I was really happy they succeeded," said Chun's son.

Hong Kong's first astronaut ignites citywide enthusiasm over space exploration