China's Ice and Snow Industry: A Thriving Economic Growth Engine

The ice and snow industry in China is emerging as a vital force propelling economic growth. Take Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, for instance, which showcases the flourishing economy thriving on icy attractions. An impressive surge in winter tourism was observed during the recent Spring Festival, with Harbin's Ice and Snow World park drawing over 610,000 visitors and achieving a record single-day attendance of more than 100,000 on February 1st, 2025.

The rising popularity of winter tourism in Harbin can be attributed in part to its role as the host city for the 9th Asian Winter Games, scheduled between February 7 and 14, 2025. This event follows the Beijing Winter Olympics of 2022, marking another significant addition to China's winter sports portfolio. This transition has caught the attention of President Xi Jinping, who will attend the opening ceremony and host a banquet for attending foreign dignitaries.

The ice and snow economy is currently entering what can be termed a "fast lane". President Xi has urged for winter sports and industry development to be recognized as a new growth stimulus, capable of nurturing the entire industrial chain, including sports, culture, equipment manufacturing, and tourism. According to the General Administration of Sport of China, the number of participants engaging in various winter sports such as skating, skiing, curling, and ice hockey reached an astounding 57.35 million nationwide during the 2023-2024 snow season. This increase is also reflected in a record of over 385 million visits to winter leisure activities, indicating a remarkable rise of 38% from the previous year.

Last winter season alone, Harbin received more than 87 million visitors, demonstrating a year-on-year increase of 300%. This influx generated roughly 124.8 billion Yuan (approximately 17.4 billion USD) in tourism revenue, signifying an astonishing growth of 500%. The consumption of ice and snow-related activities has emerged as a pivotal growth engine fueling domestic demand, transforming these cold resources into a hotbed for economic advancement.

Online shopping and tourism platforms have reported a notable rise in orders for ice and snow equipment, and searches for snow-related trips skyrocketed during last year's Double Eleven shopping festival. Sales of items such as down jackets, thermal underwear, and ski equipment on the popular e-commerce platform Tmall saw a remarkable year-on-year increase of over 200% during this event.

Promising Prospects Ahead

To leverage its abundant ice and snow resources for economic development, China is intensifying its efforts to expand the winter economy, encompassing sports, culture, equipment, and tourism sectors. Per the guidelines put forth by the Central Committee of the State Council, there is a goal to develop the ice and snow economy into a new catalyst for growth, aiming for an expected economic output of 1.2 trillion Yuan (approximately 169 billion USD) by 2027, and 1.5 trillion Yuan by 2030.

Various cities and regions across the country are integrating winter sports and tourism into their development plans to achieve these ambitious targets. For example, Heilongjiang province is establishing a model zone for winter sports in partnership with the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization and is accelerating the development of ice and snow equipment parks along with a digital industry.

In Beijing, the local government has rolled out an action plan featuring 24 detailed measures aimed at expanding participation and consumption of winter sports and ensuring enhanced infrastructure for related activities. The rapid development of the ice and snow economy has not gone unnoticed internationally, with several initiatives being implemented, such as optimizing visa policies and opening new international flight routes, that have attracted a wave of foreign tourists eager to experience winter activities in China.

Furthermore, the flourishing ice and snow economy in China is also contributing to the global tourism market. According to spokesperson Kuo Jiakun of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, there is an open invitation to friends worldwide to participate in ice and snow events that promote friendship and collaboration.

This growth story of Harbin’s ice and snow industry represents more than just a local success; it underscores the broader narrative of China’s expanding economic landscape, well on its way to becoming a significant player in the global winter sports scene. ###

For more details, visit CGTN's article