Harbin's dazzling opening ceremony sets stage for week-long Asian Winter Games

The opening of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Friday was hailed as a triumph, with athletes and spectators alike praising the ceremony and expressing excitement for the week-long event.

Beyond the spectacular opening ceremony, the Games are expected to play a significant role in promoting China's winter sports industry and unlock new opportunities for growth and investment.

"It feels as if I was there in person. This is not just a sports event but also a showcase of our ice and snow culture and the enduring spirit of winter sports," said Liu Dongmei, coach of Mishan City Children's Sports School.

As the host nation, China has sent a delegation of 170 athletes to compete in all 64 events.

Competing on home soil, Chinese athletes are eager to perform at their best while embodying the spirit of Chinese sportsmanship.

"Participating in the Asian Winter Games in my hometown is both thrilling and an honor. This platform allows athletes to showcase their competitive abilities while fostering exchanges with fellow winter sports athletes across Asia," said Xu Xiaoming, member of the Chinese curling team.

"It's my third time to participate the Asian Winter Games. Being so close to so many top athletes from Asia allows me to better learn from them and build stronger friendships with them. It is crucial for us to promote the future development of winter sports in both China and Asia," said Tang Jialin, member of the Chinese biathlon team.

"It is a great honor to compete in such a grand event. This platform provides me opportunities to learn from and engage with Asia's top winter sports athletes," said Ren Junfei, member of the Chinese figure skating team.

From the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics to the Harbin Asian Winter Games, China's enthusiasm for winter sports continues to grow, injecting fresh energy into global winter athletics.

By integrating Olympic values with its rich cultural heritage, China is making significant strides in sports development, advancing its goal of becoming a global sports powerhouse and a healthier nation.

"Winter sports play a key role in building a strong sporting nation and Healthy China. We will seize the opportunity presented by the Asian Winter Games to fully leverage its benefits, optimize the post-event use of venues, and maximize its broader impact. Additionally, we aim to drive the growth of the winter sports economy and encourage nationwide participation through accessible events that benefit the public," said Zhuang Shichao, deputy director of Heilongjiang Provincial Sports Bureau.

The Asian Winter Games, themed "Dream of Winter, Love among Asia," have gathered 1,275 competitors from 34 countries and regions, making this the largest ever edition of the Games in terms of overall participation.

Harbin's dazzling opening ceremony sets stage for week-long 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