On the evening of February 7, 2025, as the dream of winter shone brightly with ice and snow, a magnificent chapter was written demonstrating love among Asia. The Ninth Asian Winter Games kicked off in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province with a grand opening ceremony. President Xi Jinping attended it and declared the Asian Winter Games open.

Cai Qi and leaders and dignitaries from across Asia attended the opening ceremony.

In the dark sky at night, the Harbin International Convention and Exhibition Sports Center was ablaze with dazzling lights. Before the opening ceremony, people from all over Heilongjiang Province presented performances with local characteristics that passionately illuminated the ambiance on the site.

At 7:58 p.m., amid the music of "Peace – a Community with a Shared Future", Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, together with President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach and Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Timothy Tsun Ting Fok, among others, stepped onto the podium and waved to the audience, which erupted in prolonged warm applause.

Accompanied by the touching melody of "I Love You, China", eight honor guards walked into the venue with vigorous steps, escorting the national flag of the People's Republic of China (PRC). All the audience stood up and sang the national anthem of the PRC loudly, as the bright Five-Starred Red Flag rose slowly.

On the big screen, a short video "Glazed Moments" was played, featuring children dressed in festive New Year attire holding ice lanterns, illuminating the iconic landmark of Harbin. The welcoming performance "Ice Lanterns Ignite Dreams" followed, with spinning ice crystal handkerchief flowers symbolizing the host's warm hospitality to guests from all corners of the world.

The entry ceremony of athletes kicked off at 8:08 p.m. Amidst the joyful melody of "Asia of Ice and Snow", the sports delegations from 34 countries and regions entered the venue one after another and received a heartfelt welcome from the audience. The sports delegation of China as the host country entered last amidst the stirring melody of "Ode to the Motherland". Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan stood up and waved, and the stadium was filled with cheers and applause. The Chinese delegation consists of 257 members, including 170 athletes to compete in 64 events of 6 sports at this Asian Winter Games.

In her speech, President of the Ninth Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee and Governor of Heilongjiang Province Liang Huiling, on behalf of the organizing committee and the over 30 million people in Heilongjiang, extended warm welcome to athletes from different countries and regions across Asia, and wished them success in breaking personal records, showcasing their talents, realizing their dreams, and forging friendships on the field.

President of the Ninth Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee and President of the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) Gao Zhidan said in his speech, "Thanks to the cordial care and firm leadership of President Xi Jinping, a magnificent Asian Winter Games will open soon. Let us fully embrace the vibrant manifestations of Chinese modernization, join hands to paint a splendid picture of new glories in Asian sports, and jointly compose a spectacular symphony for the Asian community with a shared future."

In his speech, OCA Vice President Timothy Tsun Ting Fok affirmed China's significant role in the development of winter sports in Asia. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese government, the COC, the People's Government of Heilongjiang Province, the Harbin Municipal People's Government, and the Ninth Asian Winter Games Harbin 2025 Organizing Committee for their meticulous preparations and collaboration. He also praised athletes, audience, and staff for their support, and lauded Harbin as the "Dream City of Ice and Snow".

The opening ceremony reached its climax at 8:51 p.m. when President Xi Jinping declared the Ninth Asian Winter Games Harbin open! Upon this, the audience erupted in cheers and applause, and the sky was lit up with glamorous fireworks.

Six excellent representatives of Chinese athletes entered, holding the flag of the OCA. Amid the anthem of the OCA, the flag rose slowly and fluttered high alongside the Chinese Five-Starred Red Flag.

Athletes Ning Zhongyan and Cai Xuetong, and referees Zhang Chunhui and Chen Wenhong took the oath respectively on behalf of all participating athletes and referees.

Subsequently, a short video "A Dynamic Winter" turned the attention of all the audience to the big screen: the people of Harbin, who revel in the joys of ice and snow, showcased the urban fervor of the "City Hosting Two Asian Winter Games".

Then the gala performance began, comprising three chapters. Chapter One, "Blazing Ice and Snow", began with the resounding shout of ice harvesters. With tools in hand, they dance upon ice with strength and grace. The first block of ice breaks free from the Songhua River, adorned with flowing crimson silk that soars like a fiery ribbon through the winter air, illuminating the Asian Winter Games' emblem of "Surpass". In this frozen wonderland, ballet dancers glide with ethereal poise, weaving a glorious tapestry where nature meets culture. In Chapter Two, "Passion in Motion", athletes soar across the arena with breathtaking grace, igniting the passion of ice and snow. Joyful crowds dance and the lovable "Snowman" makes a delightful appearance, adding to a marvelous carnival across the Ice City of Harbin. In Chapter Three, "Everlasting Friendship", dancers adorned in the distinctive attire of Asian countries and regions move with graceful elegance, showcasing the rich diversity of Asia and the spirit of unity in diversity. A unique "Balcony Concert" unfolds from the stage to the audience. Soaring notes strike the chords of a shared future, stirring the hearts of Asia in perfect harmony.

At 9:24 p.m., the lighting ceremony of the cauldron began. The big screen linked live to the sub-venue, Harbin Ice and Snow World, where torchbearers Yang Yang, Han Xiaopeng, Wang Zhen, and Zhang Hong passed the flame in a relay, earning a thunderous round of applause from the audience. The torchbearers, joined by children holding ice lanterns, lit the lilac-shaped cauldron, and the sacred flame of the Asian Winter Games blazed brightly.

All the audience sang the official song "Light up Asia", turning the entire stadium into a sea of joy.

The international dignitaries attending the opening ceremony included Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu'izzaddin Waddaulah, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and his wife Aigul Japarova, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister of Thailand Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Woo Won-shik and his wife Shin Kyung-hye.

Wang Yi, He Lifeng, Wang Xiaohong and Shen Yiqin attended the opening ceremony.

The opening ceremony was also attended by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region John Lee Ka Chiu and the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region Sam Hou Fai.

The opening ceremony was also attended by OCA officials, among others.