
SAPPORO, Japan, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese delegation held its flag-raising ceremony at the Sapporo Prince Hotel International Convention Center Pamir here on Saturday for the eighth Asian Winter Games (AWG).
Fumio Takei, Sports Affairs Bureau Director of the organizing committee for the Games, welcomed the Chinese delegation on behalf of the organizers.
"I wish the athletes to have a good performance in the Games," he said, adding that he also hopes to meet the athletes again at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Gao Zhidan, head of the Chinese delegation, said after the ceremony that Chinese athletes will spare no efforts to deliver their best performances at the games.
Meanwhile, China will also take the Games as an opportunity to learn from neighbors and to make progress in some events, he said.
"We are facing a rare historical opportunity for development of winter sports since Beijing's successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics...We should make our due efforts and make our contributions," he said.
Gao also said a men's short-track speed skater will carry the Chinese flag at Sunday's opening ceremony but stopped short of naming him.
Short track is one of few winter sports which have made China proud. Among the 12 gold medals China has won in the Winter Olympics history, nine came from short track. The remaining three golds came from figure skating, aerials skiing and speed skating.
The eighth AWG will be held in Sapporo and Obihiro between Feb. 19 and 26. There will be five sports, 11 disciplines and 64 events, and 31 delegations are expected to take part.
China has sent a 236-strong delegation to compete in all events at the Games and will face strong competition from old rival South Korea and improving Japan and Kazakhstan among others.
Fire brigade in Shanghai holds group wedding
Tourists enjoy ice sculptures in Datan Town, north China
Sunset scenery of Dayan Pagoda in Xi'an
Tourists have fun at scenic spot in Nanlong Town, NW China
Harbin attracts tourists by making best use of ice in winter
In pics: FIS Alpine Ski Women's World Cup Slalom
Black-necked cranes rest at reservoir in Lhunzhub County, Lhasa
China's FAST telescope will be available to foreign scientists in April
"She power" plays indispensable role in poverty alleviation
Top 10 world news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 China news events of People's Daily in 2020
Top 10 media buzzwords of 2020
Year-ender:10 major tourism stories of 2020
No interference in Venezuelan issues
Biz prepares for trade spat
Broadcasting Continent
Australia wins Chinese CEOs as US loses