Chinese President Xi Jinping officially launched the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin. The culmination of the grand opening ceremony was the lighting of a lilac-shaped fire cauldron by four torchbearers together with children in the Great World of Ice and Snow Park, Xinhua reports.

The large-scale sporting event, held under the motto "Dream of Winter, Love in Asia", brought together more than 1,200 athletes from 34 countries. During the week, from February 7 to 14, athletes will compete for medals in various winter disciplines.

The strongest representatives of winter sports arrived as part of the national delegations. Thus, the national team of Turkmenistan is represented by a delegation of 37 people, including 25 athletes who will perform in three sports - hockey, short track and figure skating.