World Ice Art Championship held ahead of upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan

The 2026 World Ice Art Championship was held in Sesto San Giovanni, near Milan, on January 23-25, as a part of the cultural program for the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

Twenty-four sculptors from 16 countries competed in the finals, carving more than 20 tons of crystalline ice into authentic ephemeral works of art that showcase their style, technique, and creative vision.

"It's my honor and I feel very happy to be a part of this competition, because I think it's the best in the world," said Ji Huailong, a Chinese ice sculptor.

Ice sculptures would be evaluated by an international panel over the last two days, with winners announced at Sunday's awards ceremony.

According to Amelio Mazzella, president of the World Ice Carving Association, the championship was judged on far more than technical skill alone.

"The judges first of all will see the artistic impression, the proportions of the sculptures, and the use of the ice," said Mazzella.

One of Ji Huailong's sculptures, featuring two fish, carries a deeper symbolic meaning.

"The sculpture of the two fish represents both Italy and China, like old friends meeting in a river," Ji said.

That message of cultural exchange is a key theme of the event. Roberto Di Stefano, mayor of Sesto San Giovanni, said the championship reflects growing ties between Italy and China at a local level.

"We organized an agreement with the Wenzhou region, because there are a lot of investors that come from China and live here in Sesto San Giovanni," said Di Stefano.

The international dimension was highlighted by Liu Kan, Consulate-General of China in Milan, who sees ice art as a bridge between cultures.

"I sincerely hope that China and Italy can foster cooperation in the fields of the ice industry, science and technology," Liu sai.

The World Ice Art Championship follows in the tradition of China's famous Harbin Ice Festival, which attracts millions of viewers and visitors each winter.

Some of the artists competing in Italy have previously taken part in the Harbin event, and the top three competitors from the event in Sesto San Giovanni will be invited to Harbin next year.

"The festival in Harbin is very, very popular. Millions of people know it and see it on TV, in Italy too. That's why we have asked them to be partners of this project," said Mazzella.

As Italy makes preparations for the Winter Olympics, the championship offers a preview of how the winter games will celebrate sport, culture and international collaboration.

World Ice Art Championship held ahead of upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan

China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao outlined the key priorities of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting, which opened on Friday in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu province.

In an interview with CGTN ahead of the two-day meeting, Wang said free trade, digital cooperation and green economy are high on the agenda of the meeting.

"The key areas include advancing regional economic integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, supporting the World Trade Organization (WTO) in strengthening digital cooperation and developing green economy. At present, the international situation is marked by intertwined turbulence and chaos, with intensified geopolitical instability. The rise of unilateralism and protectionism poses serious challenges to the international economic and trade order, disrupting global and Asia-Pacific development. Against this backdrop, all parties have higher expectations for this trade ministers' meeting, hoping that it can build consensus and deliver outcomes," Wang said.

This year marks China's third time hosting the APEC meetings and the 35th anniversary of its membership.

By 2025, China had become the largest trading partner of 13 APEC economies. Trade between China and APEC economies reached 3.7 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for 57.8 percent of China's total foreign trade.

China has signed 24 free trade agreements or economic and trade arrangements with 31 countries and regions, including 15 APEC economies. In recent years, China has also completed upgrades of free trade agreements with APEC economies such as Singapore and Peru.

The minister said that China has always been a firm supporter and an important contributor to APEC.

"We have actively shared our vast market and development opportunities with all parties. China's door to the world will only open wider and wider. Facing the common challenges, China will continue to fulfill its responsibilities as a major country, further deepen reform, expand high-standard opening-up, and continue to provide new opportunities for the Asia-Pacific region and the world with its new achievements in Chinese modernization," the minister said.

China's Commerce Minister outlines priorities for 32nd APEC trade ministers' meeting