Games South Korea's Kim Kyeong-ae (L) and Seong Ji-hoon are in action during the mixed doubles curling final against Japan at the Asian Winter Games at the Harbin Pingfang Curling Arena on Feb. 8, 2025.

Under the motto 'Dream of Winter, Love among Asia' and through a festive opening ceremony supported by the spectacle and culture of ice, Chinese

This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

As the 9th Asian Winter Games began their first official day of competition, anticipation soared for the event to foster unity, drive shared prosperity, and deepen friendships across Asia and beyond.

The lit cauldron of the 9th Asian Winter Games is pictured at the Harbin Ice and Snow World Park during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 7, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

President Asif Ali Zardari attended the grand opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping and other heads of states from Asia. The ceremony drew high-profile attendees, including the Sultan of Brunei, the President of Kyrgyzstan, and the Prime Minister of Thailand.

The ninth Asian Winter Games opened in the northeastern Chinese city of Harbin on Friday with a celebration of athletes from across the continent. Hosting the Winter Asiad for the second time under the motto,