China's miracle of high-quality development of winter sports

Editor's note: Wang Dexian, a special commentator on sports for CGTN, is a lecturer at the School of Management, Beijing Sport University. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, China ranked third on the medal table with nine golds, four silvers, and two bronzes, marking a historic leap for Chinese winter sports. The development of winter sports in China has followed an extraordinary path, driven by close interaction between the government and an efficient market, with technology, talent and capital brought together to support both the popularization of winter sports and broader economic growth.

The development and growth of an infant industry requires proactive planning. In 2014, Chinese President Xi Jinping told then International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach that the primary goal of hosting the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics was to "engage 300 million people in ice-and-snow sports" and promote the leapfrog development of winter sports in the country.

The spark was lit. And in 2015, the successful bid for the Winter Olympics elevated China's ice and snow sports to a national strategic project.

The Ice and Snow Sports Development Plan (2016-2025), the first of its kind in China, was the foundation for the development of China's winter sports. In 2024, the sector's future was quantified: 1.2 trillion yuan (around $170 billion) by 2027 and 1.5 trillion yuan by 2030.

Policy synergy has seen the General Administration of Sport of China handling the top-level design, the Ministry of Education driving campus programs, and other ministries supporting research and development, as well as tourism.

However, policy alone is insufficient. Development requires an efficient market to deepen the foundation. China's strategy extends beyond mere participation, aiming to build a complete industrial chain that delivers both economic and social returns.

A key pillar of this is the independent breakthrough in equipment manufacturing. China has formed a product system across 15 major categories, essentially achieving full-chain coverage of winter sports equipment from personal gear to venue equipment. Furthermore, innovative expansion of the "ice and snow +" model has enriched the industrial ecosystem, integrating other industries like tourism, culture and wellness.

Underpinning this is a leap in infrastructure: Spurred by the 2022 Winter Olympics, the number of venues nationwide crossed 2,600 by the end of 2024, with central and local forces collaborating to enhance service quality.

Technology has been equally transformative. "Tech empowerment," utilizing AI for tactical analysis, helped athletes break through traditional training limits, while a globalized training network ensured rapid iteration of methods.

Ultimately, the rise of winter sports is a profound statement on national spirit and cultural confidence. The achievement of engaging 300 million people is arguably the most significant legacy Beijing 2022 offered to the global Olympic movement, showcasing a China that is both respectful of tradition and open to innovation. This scale of participation is not just a statistic – it is a rallying cry that boosts national pride.

Moreover, ice and snow culture is being cultivated as a key economic driver. By integrating traditional elements, such as "Boke" wrestling on the grasslands, the folk wrestling of the ethnic Mongol community, or ice dragon boat races – a winter version of traditional dragon boating where specialized boats fitted with blades or skates race across frozen lakes or rivers, the sector is fostering a high-quality development path defined by the inheritance and revitalization of cultural genes.

The rise of China's winter sports reflects a distinctive development model with Chinese characteristics, one guided by proactive government planning, sustained by market efficiency, empowered by a nationwide resource-mobilization system and technological strength, and forged through the dedication of generations of athletes.

This model has not only created a "Chinese winter sports miracle," but also offers a vivid, practical example of Chinese modernization. As the national strategy to promote winter sports continues to advance, the winter sports economy is set to unlock greater potential, contributing a new and dynamic chapter to China's high-quality development.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com. Follow @thouse_opinions on Twitter to discover the latest commentaries in the CGTN Opinion Section.)