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.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin northeast Chi

South Korea’s speed skater Park Ji-won (right) celebrates after confirming his victory in the final round of the short track mixed 2,000m relay at the Harbin Asian Winter Games at the Heilongjiang Ice Events Training Center Multifunctional Hall in Harbin,

China's Lin Xiaojun, left, leads the men's 1500m semifinals 2 at the Short Track Speed Skating during the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025.

(250208) -- HARBIN, Feb. 8, 2025 (Xinhua) -- Liu Bin of China falls after the speed skating men's 100m final at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 8, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Jianwei)

The ninth Asian Winter Games opened in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin on Friday with a celebration of athletes from across the continent. Hosting the Winter Asiad for the second time under the motto,

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