The closing ceremony of the first winter games for Chinese and Russian teenagers concluded in Harbin on Dec 11.

A total of 234 athletes from China and Russia took part in the games, which included five competition events –– figure skating, speed skating, ice hockey, short-track speed skating, and alpine skiing.

The event was held to promote friendship between athletes from both countries and was also a good opportunity for the athletes to learn from each other and share training tips.
 

Li Feng, vice director of the Heilongjiang Sports Bureau, delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the first winter games for Chinese and Russian teenagers on Dec 11, 2016. [Photo/dbw.cn]

Li Feng, vice director of the Heilongjiang Sports Bureau, said that athletes from both countries have made great achievements during the event.

"Heilongjiang has a long history of ice and snow sports events, but compared with Russia –– a big country which excels at snow sports events –– athletes from Heilongjiang province still have a long way to go,” said Li.

Li also expressed his hope that Heilongjiang athletes could learn from Russian athletes to enhance training and make progress.
 

Vee Krupa Jef, head of the Russian delegation, delivers a speech at the closing ceremony of the first winter games for Chinese and Russian teenagers on Dec 11, 2016. [Photo/dbw.cn]

Vee Krupa Jef said that the holding of the first winter games for Chinese and Russian teenagers signifies China and Russia have started a winter sports exchange program.

He also said that Russia wants to conduct further exchanges in future sports events and make further progress in the sports sector.