President Xi Jinping said Friday that China's northeastern city of Harbin, host city of the 9th Asian Winter Games, will deliver a spectacular sports gala for the world.
At a banquet held ahead of the opening ceremony, Xi extended a warm welcome to international dignitaries who are here to attend the ceremony.
China's ice-and-snow fervor ignited by major sports events has injected fresh vitality into global winter sports, Xi told the guests, among whom was International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach.
The 9th Asian Winter Games attracted a record number of participating countries and regions, as well as registered athletes, Xi said.
Harbin will deliver for the world a sports gala that is distinctly Chinese, uniquely Asian and spectacular, he noted.
京公网安备 11010202009201号