With the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Winter Games just a month away, organizers are putting the finishing touches on the region's largest ice and snow sports event. Our reporter You Yang tells us how the city of Harbin is ready to welcome athletes and guests.
Catering and accommodation are the two core functions of the Athletes' Village. The dining hall is decorated in Asian Winter Games tones and murals of the beautiful ice and snow scenery found across China's northeastern province of Heilongjiang. The space is filled with a strong atmosphere of the Games and unique regional cultural characteristics.
By using AI and other technologies, kitchen management, energy conservation and environmental protection, and risk prevention have become more precise and efficient.
Medical services are also one of the most important functions of the Village. Medical facilities include an emergency room, electrocardiogram room, and an ultrasound room. Professional medical equipment and medicine are being gradually put in to use, and medical staff will practice various treatment procedures. Meanwhile, in the city of Harbin, volunteers dressed in Asian Winter Games themed vests can be seen everywhere.
ZHANG LIMEI, Volunteer, 2025 Asian Winter Games, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province "More than 220 people are on duty here, rotating in three shifts every day. We are providing tourists with information on some scenic spots, as well as some city services such as our bus schedule."
SHI XIAOJIN, Volunteer, 2025 Asian Winter Games, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province "I feel that when communicating with foreign friends, my language expression ability has greatly improved. And we have also had cultural exchanges. They have expressed a high appreciation for Harbin."
During the Asian Winter Games, there will be over 20,000 city volunteers covering key areas such as the surroundings of the venues, tourist attractions, transportation hubs, and more.
The volunteers say they will fully leverage their professional strengths to ensure the smooth operation of the city. The registration work is also underway. Authorities say with an expected 45-thousand staff members submitting their information, the registration center will add 50 volunteers to make sure 5-thousand registration ID cards can be made per day.
YOU YANG, Beijing "The 2025 Asian Winter Games will begin on the seventh of February. Authorities say over 1-thousand-2-hundred athletes from 34 countries and regions have registered for the competition. With the preparations in full swing, the games are expected to host the largest number of participants in the event's history. You Yang, CGTN, Beijing."