STORY: Preparations for the 9th Asian Winter Games in final stage
SHOOTING TIME: Jan. 14, 2025
DATELINE: Jan. 15, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:22
LOCATION: HARBIN, China
CATEGORY: SPORTS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of venues of the 9th Asian Winter Games
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): BAI ZHIGUO, Deputy Secretary General of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee (HAWGOC), Director of Harbin Sports Bureau
3. various of venues of the 9th Asian Winter Games
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): BAI ZHIGUO, Deputy Secretary General of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee (HAWGOC), Director of Harbin Sports Bureau
5. various of venues of the 9th Asian Winter Games
6. SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BAI ZHIGUO, Deputy Secretary General of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee (HAWGOC), Director of Harbin Sports Bureau

STORYLINE:

Northeast China's Harbin has recently entered the final stages of preparations for the 9th Asian Winter Games. 

The international winter sports event will be held from February 7 to 14 in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): BAI ZHIGUO, Deputy Secretary General of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee (HAWGOC), Director of Harbin Sports Bureau
"The 2025 Asian Winter Games will be another landmark international winter sports event hosted by China after the Beijing Winter Olympics. It will also be the third time China has hosted the Asian Winter Games, following the events in Harbin in 1996 and Changchun in 2007."

Under the theme "Dream of Winter, Love Among Asia," the Games has so far received 1,275 athlete registrations (755 men and 520 women) from 34 countries and regions across Asia. 

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): BAI ZHIGUO, Deputy Secretary General of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee (HAWGOC), Director of Harbin Sports Bureau
"To ensure a high-quality event, we have assembled numerous ice and snow professionals from both domestic and international backgrounds."

International and Asian sports federations have appointed 12 technical delegates and one assistant technical delegate from countries and regions including China, South Korea, and Japan.

The Olympic Council of Asia has appointed 151 international technical officials to work alongside 685 domestic officials, many of whom have extensive experience from the Beijing Winter Olympics and other major events.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Chinese): BAI ZHIGUO, Deputy Secretary General of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee (HAWGOC), Director of Harbin Sports Bureau
"There is great anticipation for the Asian Winter Games as well as excitement about Harbin, a renowned tourist destination. The Games will not only strengthen and expand the achievements of engaging 300 million people in winter sports but also serve as a powerful platform for regional cooperation and development."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Harbin, China 
(XHTV)