🎿 Get ready, winter sports fans! With just one month to go, Harbin, the snowy jewel of Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, is putting the final touches on preparations for the 2025 Asian Winter Games. ❄️🏆
The city is buzzing with excitement, hosting a series of test events to ensure everything runs smoother than a freshly groomed ski slope. So far, seven out of the planned 14 test events have been completed, including crowd favorites like figure skating, ice hockey, and curling. This week, all eyes are on cross-country skiing, and coming up this weekend, over 65 athletes will dash for glory in seven speed skating disciplines. ⛸️🏒🥌
All Systems Go!
Organizers are reporting that key preparations are well underway. Arrival and departure services have been set up at airports and train stations, with a new system officially launched last month. To keep things moving, railway capacity has been boosted, including three special sightseeing trains—talk about a scenic route! 🚂🌆
Harbin Taiping International Airport is rolling out the welcome mat with a 240-hour transit visa exemption policy. That means visitors can now enjoy a 10-day stay, up from the original three days. Even cooler, the number of entry ports where this policy applies has jumped from 39 in 19 provinces to 60 in 24 provinces, giving travelers more freedom to explore. 🛬🧳
In the lead-up to the Games, Taiping International has set up a dedicated \"Special Asian Winter Games Channel.\" The Harbin Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station has deployed guidance officers to help with speedy clearance for event participants and staff. With 19 international routes connecting to places like Russia, Japan, and South Korea, the airport is all set to welcome guests from across the continent. Entry and exit services kick off on January 27th. 🌐✈️
Media Center Warm-Up
The organizers have also announced that the Main Media Center (MMC) is now up and running on a trial basis. Divided into the Main Press Center and the International Broadcast Center, the MMC is decked out with nine areas, including a comprehensive service zone, public media workstations, a press conference hall, and interview areas. 🎥📰
During the trial period, everything is being tested to ensure a glitch-free experience. \"We will conduct joint debugging and testing of the infrastructure setup. This involves assessing how well different business areas coordinate with one another and whether the services provided can align effectively,\" said Lyu Zhuangzhi, Media Operations Director for the Harbin Asian Winter Games.
\"Once we establish a collaborative dynamic, we aim to create a seamless operational chain. If we encounter any issues, we will address them promptly, ensuring that our operational processes run smoothly and providing satisfactory service to registered media journalists from both China and abroad during the Games.\"
The countdown is on! Harbin is pulling out all the stops to make the 2025 Asian Winter Games an unforgettable event. So grab your scarves and mittens—it's going to be an icy adventure you won't want to miss! 🥳❄️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
