\"Dream of Winter, Love among Asia!\" This winter, Harbin, often dubbed the \"Ice City,\" is once again the spotlight as it hosts the 9th Asian Winter Games. A recent CGTN survey targeting global netizens reveals a widespread anticipation for a more open and vibrant China, with many believing that the ice and snow economy is emerging as a new powerhouse for economic growth.
The Harbin 2025 Asian Winter Games marks another significant international ice and snow event hosted by China following the successful 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. This edition stands out as the largest in history, boasting the highest number of participating countries, regions, and athletes in the Asian Winter Games.
According to the survey, an impressive 96% of respondents feel that the Asian Winter Games will ignite greater enthusiasm for ice and snow sports across Asian nations and globally. Additionally, 87.8% believe the Games will foster enhanced exchanges and cooperation among Asian countries. With China's ongoing optimization of visa-free policies, 94.7% of participants are eager to witness a more open and dynamic China.
Data indicates a surge in ice and snow sports enthusiasts in China, totaling 313 million since the successful hosting of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, with 264 million actively participating since the winter of 2023. An overwhelming 96.6% of those surveyed agree that international sports events play a crucial role in popularizing and advancing ice and snow sports within China.
Beyond traditional cold regions, indoor ice and snow venues are now sprouting in some of China's warmer southern areas, breaking climate and geographical barriers. Ice and snow sports are seamlessly integrating into the daily lives of many Chinese residents, spurring a blend of tourism resources that give rise to innovative activities like \"ice and snow + shopping,\" \"ice and snow + food,\" \"ice and snow + tourism,\" and \"ice and snow + sports.\"
A remarkable 91.9% of respondents are confident that the \"ice and snow +\" model will drive local consumption upgrades and industrial transformations. Furthermore, 94.7% agree that the ice and snow economy is poised to become a significant growth accelerator for China's broader economy.
The rise of ice and snow sports and tourism is also fueling the development of extensive industrial chains, including equipment manufacturing, education and training, research and development of recreational facilities, and cultural creativity.
The survey underscores that 92.1% of respondents believe that events like the Asian Winter Games will inject new vitality into China's ice and snow economy. Moreover, 95% are optimistic about the bright prospects of China's ice and snow economy, driven by favorable policies and robust market demand.
This insightful survey was released across CGTN's English, Spanish, French, Arabic, and Russian platforms, garnering participation from 4,607 netizens within just 24 hours.
Reference(s):
CGTN Poll: Global respondents feel the upturn of China's economy
cgtn.com
