Chinese President Xi Jinping officially declared the 9th Asian Winter Games open in northeast China's Harbin on Friday. Under the theme "Dream of Winter, Love among Asia," the Games is a showcase of Asian unity through sports. Delegation members from across the continent praised the Opening Ceremony, highlighting the spirit of cooperation along with Chinese efforts to organise such a grand event.

Harbin Asian Winter Games: Skier Li Fanghui, China's first gold medalist at Games, sets sights on Milano Cortina Olympics in 2026

China's Freestyle skiers snatched gold and silver in the Women's Halfpipe event in Harbin's Yabuli Ski Resort yesterday. Li Fanghui's gold was the first for Team China. Li told CGTN about the team's plans for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics next year.

ZHENG YIBING, CGTN: "Congratulations. You won the first gold medal for Team China at Harbin 2025. How do you comment on your performance?"

LI FANGHUI, Gold Medalist, Women's Freeski Halfpipe: "I am very satisfied with myself at these Games. Although I failed in the second round, in the third I was confident that I can do better. The cold and wind are very common at every game and snow season. I have my own way to handle the conditions, knowing exactly how to adjust myself with the wind and its speed."

ZHENG YIBING, CGTN: "It's been eight years since the previous Asian Winter Games. Are there any changes over the years on the performance of Chinese and other Asian athletes in winter sports? How is your feeling about joining with them?"

LI FANGHUI, Gold Medalist, Women's Freeski Halfpipe: "At the World Cups over the years, there were always players of the Republic of Korea and Japan to compete together, and they are steadily improving. When I first started training, when I first got involved in the sport, there were not so many Asian players taking part in the World Cup. The number is increasing every year and every season, every year there were new competitors, and we could see new strength from them."

ZHENG YIBING, CGTN: "During this snow season, you have won two silver medals, one for world championship and one for X-Games. What do you think you and your teammates need to score rank and prepare for the Milano Cortina 2026 only a year later?"

LI FANGHUI, Gold Medalist, Women's Freeski Halfpipe: "Milano Cortina 2026 is very important. We must continue participating in competitions to accumulate experience. First, I will complete the last two competitions of this season and will then train with more intensity and improve my skills. For the next year, we will be immersed in this and then go straight to Milan. It recently became clearer to me that becoming stronger is the ultimate goal, either in the Freestyle or Alpine Skiing, for speed or skills."