Jilin outlines plans for ice and snow industry

The city of Jilin, Northeast China's Jilin province has taken the decision to focus on accelerating the growth of its ice and snow industry, in response to the national goal of getting 300 million people to regularly participate in ice and snow sports.

It also represents part of the city's efforts to support the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, which will be held in Beijing and Zhangjiakou in Hebei province.

Jilin Beishan four-season skiing park, a project supported by the General Administration of Sport of China, has already been completed in the city, covering a construction area totaling 25,244 square meters. The facility includes four indoor professional ski runs with a total length of 1,308 meters.

It is Asia's first all-weather standardized skiing training ground and the fourth to be built in the world. The new facility will provide a venue for professional athletes to train all year round.

Liu Fei, Jilin's mayor, said that the ice and snow industry is a promising driver of economic growth, and that the city will make the most of the Olympic Winter Games to boost its ice and snow sector.

Using the city's rich ice and snow resources, Jilin will spend three to five years building a pioneering area for innovative development of the national ice and snow industry, as well as developing a top international ice and snow resort, according to Gai Dongping, vice-mayor of the city.

Gai Dongping, vice-mayor of Jilin city, speaks at a recent meeting on the development of the ice and snow sector. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Skiers are photographed at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin city. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Snowboarders pose for a group photo at Beidahu Ski Resort in Jilin city, Jilin province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]