Harbin, China — The upcoming 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin is igniting a surge in enthusiasm for winter sports across northeast China. This excitement is not only boosting local businesses but also energizing the region’s economy.
“Yesterday, the shelves were still full, but today there are only a few snowboards left,” said Dong Baiquan, head of a sporting goods company in Harbin. “I have to arrange for replenishment overnight.” Dong’s company has seen sales soar from 7 million yuan (over $970,000) two years ago to over 10 million yuan (about $1.4 million) this year.
The passion for winter sports has been sustained long after the 2022 Winter Olympics. With the ice and snow season just around the corner, Harbin and other areas in northeast China have become top destinations for tourists and winter sports enthusiasts from both home and abroad.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of developing tourism with distinctive cultural features during his visit to Heilongjiang Province in September 2023. He highlighted the potential of the winter economy as a new growth driver, promoting the integrated development of sports, culture, equipment, and tourism related to ice and snow.
Tourism and Sports Boom
According to a report by the China Tourism Academy, Harbin received more than 87 million visitors in the 2023-2024 winter season, marking a 300 percent year-on-year increase. The city achieved a tourism revenue of 124.8 billion yuan (over $17 billion), a 500 percent increase from the previous year.
Local businesses are thriving amid this boom. “In the past, we sold an average of 5,000 pairs of ski boots annually. By early 2023, sales exceeded 10,000 units,” said Li Zhibo, vice general manager of Haibin Ganmao Xuelong Sporting Goods Company.
In December 2024, an implementation plan was released to promote the high-quality development of the ice and snow economy in northeast China. This blueprint aims to make the winter economy a catalyst for the region’s revitalization.
Revitalizing the Region
Northeast China, which includes the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the provinces of Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang, is experiencing a renaissance. President Xi Jinping, during his visit to a steel mill in Liaoning Province, underscored the importance of strengthening the real economy.
Liaoning’s GDP surpassed 3.2 trillion yuan (over $445 billion) in 2024, with a 5.1 percent year-on-year growth, consistently outpacing the national average. Neighboring regions like Jilin, Heilongjiang, and Inner Mongolia are also showing steady economic improvement.
The regions have set ambitious goals for 2025, focusing on innovation and new industries. Initiatives include implementing artificial intelligence projects, exploring low-altitude economies, and establishing computing infrastructure.
Expanding Horizons
As a crucial gateway for China’s opening to the north, northeast China plays a vital role in strengthening regional cooperation in Northeast Asia. Dalian Port in Liaoning Province, the main hub for automobile exports and imports, exported over 100,000 vehicles in 2023, a 143 percent year-on-year increase, setting a new record.
The region is leveraging opportunities such as the “Ice Silk Road,” the “China-Mongolia-Russia Economic Corridor,” and the “Changjitu Development and Opening-up Pilot Zone” to accelerate its open development.
Foreign-invested enterprises remain optimistic. “By 2025, the number of Lawson stores in Liaoning will increase from the current 700 to 1,000. We are confident about the future in the province,” said Sadanobu Takemasu, President of Lawson Group, at an international investment conference in Liaoning in 2024.
With the Asian Winter Games igniting interest in winter sports and tourism, northeast China is poised for a vibrant future, blending economic growth with cultural and sporting excellence.
