CE attends welcome banquet and opening ceremony of 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 (with photos/video)
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The Chief Executive, Mr John Lee, and his wife, Mrs Janet Lee, began their visit to Harbin today (February 7). They attended a welcome banquet hosted by President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan for international dignitaries attending the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025, and attended the opening ceremony of the Games at the Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center in the evening.
Mr Lee said that the Hong Kong, China Delegation participating in this Asian Winter Games is the largest ever, with 74 Hong Kong athletes taking part in various events, namely alpine skiing, curling, ice hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating and speed skating. He hoped that the Hong Kong, China Delegation can achieve brilliant results in the Games and that the athletes can perform their best on the field and enjoy every competition.
“The Asian Winter Games is the largest comprehensive winter sports event in Asia. It is the third time that the country has hosted this major sports event, gathering elite athletes from the region to compete with one another. I wish this Asian Winter Games every success,” Mr Lee said.
While the Chief Executive attended official activities, the Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Miss Rosanna Law, and other officers watched the curling and short track speed skating events this morning held at the Harbin Pingfang District Curling Arena and the Heilongjiang Ice Training Center respectively, showing support for the Hong Kong athletes participating in the events.
Mr Lee and the other officials will continue their visit tomorrow (February 8). They will meet with members of the Hong Kong, China Delegation to the Asian Winter Games and watch competitions at the Games. They will also visit and learn more about local cultural and tourism facilities.