Indian athlete becomes first foreigner to enter Harbin

The 9th Asian Winter Games will be held in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on February 7-14. Indian athlete Amitesh Mishra became the first foreigner to enter China using the identity card for the 2025 Asian Winter Games at the Harbin Airport, CCTV News reported on Sunday.

"I am really looking forward to it (the Games), this is my second Asian Games. I think China generally does a great job hosting the event," he told CCTV.

Foreign athletes and related staff of the Asian Winter Games can enter and exit China multiple times using their valid passports or other international travel documents, along with their valid registration cards for the 2025 Asian Winter Games, from January to March.

"Dedicated channels have been opened for the Asian Winter Games and we will adjust the number of channels and border patrol staff in real-time according to passenger flow to ensure efficient and convenient passage for travelers," said Geng Fuquan from Harbin Exit-Entry Border Inspection Station, according to CCTV.

According to the official website of the 9th Asian Winter Games Harbin, the fast-track channel at Harbin Airport opened on Friday, and tickets for the event went on sale on Saturday.

The 9th Asian Winter Games will feature six major events, 11 sub-events, and 64 disciplines. The six major events are biathlon, curling, ice hockey, skating, skiing, and ski mountaineering. All six events will include both men's and women's competitions, with some also featuring mixed-gender events.

China has previously hosted the Asian Winter Games twice, in Harbin in 1996 and Changchun in 2007.