Games South Korea's Kim Kyeong-ae (L) and Seong Ji-hoon are in action during the mixed doubles curling final against Japan at the Asian Winter Games at the Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena on Feb. 8, 2025.

Under the motto 'Dream of Winter, Love among Asia' and through a festive opening ceremony supported by the spectacle and culture of ice, Chinese

President Asif Ali Zardari attended the grand opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and other heads of states from Asia. The ceremony drew high-profile attendees, including the Sultan of Brunei, the President of Kyrgyzstan, and the Prime Minister of Thailand.

BEIJING, Feb 8 (APP): Team China secured eight gold, eight silver and four bronze medals on the first gold medal day of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province on Saturday, topping both the gold medal and overall medal standings.

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Asian Winter Games began with an opening ceremony in Harbin, China, featuring 34 participating countries across 11 sports.

As the 9th Asian Winter Games began their first official day of competition, anticipation soared for the event to foster unity, drive shared prosperity, and deepen friendships across Asia and beyond.

Xi Jinping and other leaders of the Communist Party of China and the state attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Flag bearers Mohammed Al Duaij and Fatema Abdulateef of Kuwait lead their contingent during the parade of athletes at the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.

The lit cauldron of the 9th Asian Winter Games is pictured at the Harbin Ice and Snow World Park during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)