Shou Xiaoli:

Next, Mr. Wang Hesheng will make an introduction.

Wang Hesheng:

Hello, friends from the media! Thank you all for your long-term care and support for Harbin.

Following the 3rd Asian Winter Games (AWG) in 1996, Harbin is once again hosting the Games. Under the strong leadership and support of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and with the great help from the General Administration of Sport of China and other ministerial-level departments, we have been advancing all preparatory work carefully, smoothly and in an orderly manner, fully implementing the deployment of the Heilongjiang provincial Party committee and provincial government and stressing "simplicity, safety and excellence" as our primary guidelines.

First, we have optimized the urban environment. Various initiatives have been launched to enhance the city's environment, including repairing roads and bridges, upgrading pipeline networks and carrying out afforestation, environmental purification and landscaping projects. Illegal building and roadside stall businesses have been cleared, parking spaces have been created, and roadways and sidewalks have been opened up. Main streets like Youyi Road and Hongqi Street are now smoother. Over 4,000 kilometers of water, electricity, gas and heating pipelines have been upgraded, 1,683 hectares of green areas have been cleaned and 27 new parks have been established. The cityscape around the venues and the Songhua River continues to improve, with historical and cultural districts, such as the Central Street and Chinese-Baroque Historic Block, showcasing unique urban charm.

Second, we have enhanced hospitality services. 36 hotels have been designated for the accommodation, with social lodging resources including guesthouses, homestays and university accommodations fully utilized. Parking facilities of government departments, enterprises and public institutions will be shared to meet the demands from both sporting events and tourism. Various organizations have actively contributed to the preparation for the AWG. We have also coordinated with civil aviation and railway departments to increase flights and train services to Harbin as per event requirements. Over 6,000 domestic and international university students and experienced volunteers, including volunteers from Beijing universities, have been recruited to provide top-notch services for the AWG.

We have strengthened security measures. Focusing on building structures, environmental protection and food safety, two rounds of safety evaluation have already been conducted on the competition venues. All decorative materials used meet environmental standards, 69 food supply enterprises from 14 categories have been strictly selected and foodborne doping tests have been intensified. Weather forecasting and preparations for extreme winter conditions and road de-icing have been strengthened to ensure smooth operations during the competitions.

We have promoted social participation. Activities such as the "Four Doorstep Assignments" for merchants and hospitality service training across various sectors have been launched. A strong sense of hospitality and anticipation for the AWG is growing within the community. With 100 days left until the start of the Games, more than 100 ice and snow festival events, including the 2024-2025 Ice and Snow Season, the 41st Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival and the Winter Triathlon World Cup, will be held. Harbin Ice and Snow World will introduce new cultural tourism products to enhance the synergy between ice and snow tourism and the AWG.

Dream of winter, love among Asia. Harbin warmly invites friends from all over the world to gather in this winter wonderland to enjoy the excitement of the Asian Winter Games together!

Thank you!