The largest cross-country short-track rally took place in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Sept 17, serving as a platform to promote motor racing and boost Sino-Russian sports communications.

The 2017 China (Heilongjiang) Cross-country Short-track Rally, which was held in Harbin Alliance Sports Circuit, attracted 208 drivers from China and Russia to compete for medals.

“Russia holds similar events in its Far East Asia region, although the scale of the competitions is much smaller,” said a Russian player during an interview with Chinanews.com.

“So we prefer to come to China to participate in the event,” the player added.

“The event aimed to encourage bilateral cooperation and communication between Russia and China,” said an official from the organizing committee of the event.

“It’s the ideal time to develop our own motor racing culture,” the official added.

Statistics from the central government reveal that by the end of 2016, registered motor vehicles in China had reached 290 million, and that the total number of vehicles had even reached 360 million –– a significant level of growth.

Harbin, capital city of Heilongjiang province, has long been important in boosting Sino-Russian cooperation. The participation of a large number of Russian players in this year’s rally helped Harbin promote the city’s image in Russia.

The 2017 China (Heilongjiang) Cross-country Short-track Rally is held in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Sept 17. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

 Models pose for a group photo at the 2017 China (Heilongjiang) Cross-country Short-track Rally held in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Sept 17. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

 Two vehicles compete against each other at the 2017 China (Heilongjiang) Cross-country Short-track Rally held in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Sept 17. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A vehicle makes a sharp turn at the 2017 China (Heilongjiang) Cross-country Short-track Rally held in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Sept 17. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

A vehicle overturns at the 2017 China (Heilongjiang) Cross-country Short-track Rally held in Harbin, Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Sept 17. [Photo/Chinanews.com]