Hong Kong athletes have been showing great potential in winter sports in recent years. Due to the climate, Hong Kong is short of the natural conditions for developing winter sports. Over the years, athletes have grappled with the constraints and endured arduous training with perseverance, giving rise to a number of breakthroughs in winter sports development. At the inaugural Asian Winter Games (AWG) held in 1986, Hong Kong sent four athletes to participate in the figure skating event. Now we are at the 9th AWG, nearly 80 athletes are representing Hong Kong, China to participate in six events, in which our athletes are competing in the curling and alpine skiing events for the first time.

The promising development of winter sports in Hong Kong is not only attributed to the concerted efforts of athletes and various stakeholders in the sports community, but it also relies on our country’s staunch support. Since Hong Kong’s return to the motherland, Hong Kong athletes have been benefited from the comprehensive facilities and supporting services of winter sports in China and they are opened up to more suitable venues to receive their training in our home country to raise their standards. We are deeply proud of the hard-earned breakthroughs made in winter sports by our athletes along the way.

This edition of the AWG marks the third time our country is hosting the event, in which a record high number of athletes will be participating. It is particularly meaningful as Hong Kong athletes will take part in this Asia’s largest multi-winter-sport event to compete with other high-level contestants in Harbin, our country’s renowned city of ice and snow. I am looking forward to seeing them showcase their passion and perform their best at the icy and snowy arenas. Let’s cheer for Team Hong Kong, China!