Beijing Winter Paralympics will start on Friday and China's para ice hockey team have held their first adaptive training session at the National Indoor Stadium, one week before making their Winter Paralympics debut in the event against Slovakia on Saturday.

China's roster features 17 men and one woman, in accordance with rules that each side must include at least one female player for this mixed team event. The eight participating squads have started a week of adaptive training, and China who are currently eighth in the world rankings will face Slovakia in next Saturday's opener. The hosts will then meet the Czech Republic on Sunday, before going up against Italy on Tuesday, with that team having placed fourth at PyeongChang 2018. And despite the tough schedule, the Chinese players have confidence in their teamwork.

"The other teams have been together longer, and have more game experience than us, but our advantage lies in our strong teamwork. I feel happy and excited to play at home, and no matter the opponent, we will fight until the end because we have our families and country behind us", said Xu jinqiang, vice captain of the China Paralympic Ice Hockey Team.