To northeast China, where ice sculptors from around the world have descended on winter wonderland Harbin as they prepare to show off the coolest, or rather iciest designs. However, at this year's international ice sculpture competition, competitors are finding themselves having to work extra fast in a world that is otherwise frozen in time.

In freezing conditions, these ice sculptors are racing against the clock to create and shape their designs in just three days. They're competing in the annual Harbin international ice sculpting competition, attracting nearly 70 competitors from around 14 countries this year. The event requires participants to carve their design from a single two-metre-squared block, taken from the nearby Songhua river. Carving began on Saturday and competitors have until Monday to finish their work before judging commences.

JUHANI LILLBERG CHIEF JUDGE, HARBIN INTERNATIONAL ICE SCULPTURE COMPETITION "We have a long history, but especially during recent years, we have seen a lot of development in ice sculpting and ice building also. One important thing is of course that the tools are better. And another big development is lighting. Because of the new lighting techniques, it's possible to make different kinds of things."

Also as part of the world's largest ice festival, the multiple ice-block carving competition - involving more intricate creations - attracted 13 teams from six countries this year and took place last Thursday. This year's first prize went to team Amursk from Russia. Their work "The Birth of the World" tells the story of two dragons. Han Zhenkun and his team won the third prize for their design "The Silk Road."

HAN ZHENKUN ICE SCULPTOR "In previous international ice sculpture competitions, Chinese teams didn't have efficient tools. We used hand tools while sculptors from Europe and other countries used electric tools. Now we have electric chainsaws, moulding equipment, and sharp knives. We even have customised knives. We use the same tools as foreign artists. It's a fair competition. The success depends on the artists' skills and creativities."

The Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival, which opened on Friday and runs through late February, is expected to attract around 18 million visitors. Various competitions celebrating snow and ice take place over several weeks. SW CGTN