Sawt Falasteen - Xi attends opening of Asian Winter Games in China's icy Harbin

Digital snowflakes, virtual ski slopes and brightly lit dancers were part of the ceremony's programme in the 10,000-capacity stadium in China's frigid northeast.

Xi entered the stadium and took his seat to raucous applause, followed by his wife and International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach. China's foreign minister Wang Yi and leaders from Pakistan and Thailand were among other dignitaries expected to attend.

The Asian Winter Games are being held for the first time since 2017. Around 1,270 athletes from 34 countries and territories, including desert and tropical nations, have registered to compete, organisers say.

North Korea's delegation entered the arena under its flag, even though its decision to do so at the summer Asian Games in 2023 resulted in international sport's anti-doping watchdog fining the Olympic Council of Asia $500,000.

The World Anti-Doping Agency banned North Korea from flying its flag at major sporting events, excluding the Olympics and Paralympics, in 2021 because the North had not implemented an effective drug-testing programme.

Host China's 170-athlete squad was last to enter the arena and received the loudest ovation from spectators waving mini-Chinese flags as Xi stood and applauded.

Tourist Niu Lijie, 32, said she was visiting from northern China's Shanxi province and had taken her daughter to an ice hockey match before going sightseeing.

"I wanted to experience more of the snow and enthusiasm of the northeast," she said as light snow fell.

Harbin is close to China's borders with Russia and North Korea and temperatures are expected to hit minus 24 degrees Celsius (minus 11 degrees Fahrenheit) at the weekend.

The first medals are up for grabs on Saturday in speed skating, short track, curling, skiing and snowboarding. The ski and snowboard events will be held in Yabuli, 200 kilometres (120 miles) southeast of Harbin.

O.Farraj--SF-PST