Harbin, China, April 12, 2024: With just over 300 days until the opening of the 9th Asian Winter Games, preparations in Harbin are focusing on environmental protection and technology, Xinhua News reports.
Harbin Ice Hockey Arena, once a venue for the 3rd Asian Winter Games in 1996, will once again take centre stage at the 9th AWG from February 7-14, 2025.
In recent days, renovation work at the arena has been proceeding in an orderly and intense manner.
"We have selected environmentally friendly decoration materials such as paints and boards, all of which must pass environmental testing before use,” said Qin Xulin, Director of the Engineering Department of Harbin Urban Development Investment Group.
“Sports lighting fixtures and equipment will all be energy-efficient, low-consumption devices, and temporary buildings will adopt recyclable modular structures.”
Liu Qinghui, head of the environmental protection team of the athlete services department of the organising committee, revealed that, since last year, the committee has been intensively preparing a plan for low-carbon hosting. It has been decided that green energy will be used for venue heating, and ultra-low energy consumption technology will be employed for electricity supply to achieve environmental protection effects.
The Harbin International Conference, Exhibition and Sports Center, venue for the opening and closing ceremonies, also embodies green concepts in its design phase.
Liu Danyang, a designer from Harbin Institute of Technology's Architecture Design Research Institute, said the steel structure of the grandstand in the centre would adopt prefabricated construction techniques, reducing on-site welding fumes pollution, shortening construction periods, protecting the environment and effectively utilising resources.
In addition, all venues for the Harbin AWG will not only be renovated but will also highlight technology.
Lyu Wei, Deputy General Manager of China Unicom Heilongjiang Branch, said that China Unicom, as the official communication and cloud service partner of the 9th AWG, has upgraded networks comprehensively in related transportation hubs, expressways, high-speed railways and scenic hotels.
To meet the needs of spectators, athletes and referees within the venues, China Unicom will also extensively utilise tri-carrier aggregation technology and 5G-A technology, providing users with a better wireless internet service experience.
Liu Guoxiang, Deputy Director of the Information Technology Department of the organising committee, said: "Through the Asian Winter Games, Harbin can showcase to the world the outstanding achievements it has made in driving technological, managerial, service and industrial innovation through digitisation, intelligence and networking.
“We also hope that the games will have a positive impact on the development of Harbin."
