The official competition schedule of the upcoming Asian Winter Games in Harbin City of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province was released by the event's organizing committee on Saturday.
The 9th Asian Winter Games will be held from February 7 to February 14 in Harbin, which is reputed as the "Ice City" in China for its extra-low temperatures in winter. According to the newly released schedule (version 3.0), the ice hockey and curling events of the Games will kick off ahead of the rest of the competitions considering the large number of participating countries and regions.
The ice hockey competitions will begin on February 3, while curling events will start on February 4.
Over the course of the 12 competition days, athletes from various Asian countries and regions will compete in six major events, 11 sub-events, and 64 disciplines.
Competition schedule for 9th Asian Winter Games released
A grand flag-raising ceremony was held at the Tian'anmen Square on Wednesday to mark the first day of 2025, with large crowds of people watching the solemn and dignified moment for the country on the spot.
As soldiers on the Tian'anmen Rostrum blew bugles, members of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Guard of Honor began marching toward the square, escorting a giant five-star red flag.
The ceremony unfolds as a patriotic gathering, with visitors braving the cold winter morning. They've waited hours to share this moment of national pride, in the hope of extending their wishes for the 12-months ahead.
As the sun slowly rises above the horizon, the military band began playing the Chinese national anthem, and the giant red flag was hoisted to the top of the mast.
When the red flag reached the top of the mast, the crowd at the square erupted in applause and cheers.
The band played "Ode to the Motherland". White doves, symbolizing hope for peace, were released at the ceremony.
The flag-raising ceremony is a daily routine at the Tian'anmen Square.
New Year flag-raising ceremony held at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing
