BEIJING: China and Russia are increasing their cooperation in the growing ice and snow economy, exploring opportunities ranging from winter tourism to extreme cold weather vehicle testing and winter sports.
Amidst the wintry landscapes, the Heilongjiang River has become a symbol of this burgeoning partnership. Tourists from both nations are crossing the floating ice bridge that connects Heihe City in China’s Heilongjiang Province with Blagoveshchensk City in Russia’s Amur Oblast.
The resumption of mutual visa-free group tourism in September 2023 has fueled a travel boom, with Russian tourists flocking to Heihe to enjoy Chinese cuisine and admire local snow sculptures.
Engineers are also actively engaged in this collaboration. Aleksei Ivanov, a technical consultant for extreme cold weather test drives from Russia, highlighted spending most of his winter in Heihe.
At Heilongjiang Red Valley Automotive Test Co., Ltd., vehicles endure extreme cold weather tests, providing crucial data for adjusting vehicle parameters before new car launches. Plans are underway to build a test facility in Russia during the next testing season, emphasizing joint efforts to enhance technical cooperation.
Winter Sports Partnership Between China and Russia
The partnership extends into winter sports, with events such as ice hockey friendship matches and ice and snow car challenges showcasing vibrant exchanges. In 2023, a regional sports university alliance was established in Harbin, the provincial capital, creating a platform for educational exchanges and fostering high-quality sports talents between the two countries.
Sergei Kirgizov, captain of a speed ice hockey team in Russia, emphasized the desire to learn from Chinese counterparts not only in sports but also in culture and cuisine. This year, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, will witness the 2024-2025 China-Russia years of culture, aiming to strengthen mutual trust, expand cooperation, and enhance the friendship between the two nations.
