An opening ceremony for the 2018 National Youth “Future Star” Winter Sports Event is held in Harbin, capital city of Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province on Feb 5. The event is themed on “promoting ice and snow sports, cultivating talent for the Winter Olympics”. Jointly sponsored by the General Sports Administration of China and Heilongjiang Provincial Government, it runs from Feb 5 to 10. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Skaters demonstrate their skills during a short track speed skating competition held in Harbin on Feb 6. The six-day event has attracted participation from 2,000 competitors from 31 provinces and cities, hitting a new record for the number of participants. [Photo/Chinanews.com]

Players compete during an ice hockey competition held in Harbin on Feb 6. Compared with the first three events held in Mudanjiang, this year’s event includes some Winter Olympics competition items, such as short track speed skating, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and alpine skiing. Meanwhile, the competition is also open to skaters under 18 years old. [Photo/Chinanews.com]