Anticipation is mounting for the ninth Asian Winter Games, as the opening ceremony is just days away in Harbin, capital of China's northernmost province of Heilongjiang.
Sha Xiaolan, chief director of the opening ceremony assured fans that preparations are on track for a spectacular event on February 7.
"The overall progress has been going smoothly. Since December, we have been conducting rehearsals in our main venue, going scene by scene and program by program. This phase has already been completed successfully. We are now moving into the phase of joint rehearsals and full-element rehearsals. Our theme for the event is 'Dream of Winter, Love among Asia', along with a set of key phrases: 'Asian elegance, Chinese grandeur; Heilongjiang characteristics, Harbin charm'. Notably, iconic landmarks of Harbin, such as the Central Street, Harbin Ice and Snow World, and music square, have left a profound impression on our creative team. We will incorporate these elements into the opening ceremony," said the director.
With the Asian Winter Games just 30 days away in the renowned ice city of Harbin, test events across various disciplines have been in full swing, and organizers are reinforcing their emergency preparedness through a comprehensive system that integrates medical, meteorological, and other vital support services.
The ninth Asian Winter Games, scheduled between Feb 7 and Feb 14, are expected to see the highest participation in the event's history, with a total of 1,275 athletes from 34 countries and regions already registered.
Harbin gears for spectacular 9th Asian Winter Games opening ceremony
China's sharp countermeasures against U.S. "reciprocal tariffs" demonstrate the country's zero tolerance towards actions that undermine the global multilateral trading system, according to an expert.
Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs", imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" on all imported goods and higher rates on certain trading partners. The order took effect from Saturday.
For China, it faces a 34-percent tariff from the United States. That was on top of the existing tariff of 20 percent.
Following the U.S. decision to impose "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese exports to the United States, China's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said Friday that the move taken by the U.S. does not conform to international trade rules, seriously undermines China's legitimate rights and interests, and represents a typical act of unilateral bullying.
It also announced that China will impose additional 34-percent tariffs on all products imported from the United States starting from April 10.
Wang Yaojing, assistant professor of economics with Peking University, pointed out that China's countermeasures shows its clear stance in opposing unilateralism and protectionism.
"China's countermeasures clearly demonstrate zero tolerance against actions that seek to undermine the global multilateral trading ecosystem. These harmful moves have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. And China's countermeasures are both well-prepared and timely," Wang emphasized.
China’s countermeasures show zero tolerance towards US unilateralism, protectionism: expert
