His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, on Friday attended the welcoming banquet and opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games.
Accompanying His Majesty was His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Mateen. His Majesty first attended the welcoming banquet, held at the TaiYangDao Hotel, Harbin, Heilongjiang Province, China.
The arrival of His Majesty was welcomed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and spouse.
The president hosted the welcoming banquet for the leaders and special guests in Harbin to attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games.
In the evening, His Majesty attended the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games, held at the Harbin International Conference and Exhibition and Sports Centre.
The arrival of His Majesty was welcomed by President Xi and spouse. Among the foreign guests present were Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and South Korean National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.
The opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games was officiated by President Xi. The opening ceremony was also enlivened with cultural and dance performances under the theme ‘Dream of Winter, Love among Asia’ as well as a parade comprising athletes from 34 countries and regions across Asia participating in the games.
Over 1,270 athletes are participating in 11 winter sports disciplines at the 9th Asian Winter Games being held from February 7 to 14. This also marks the second time Harbin hosts the event, after hosting the 3rd Asian Winter Games in 1996. Following the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games, His Majesty left Harbin, China.
Prior to departure, Doa Selamat was recited by State Mufti Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned. Present at Harbin TaiPing International Airport to bid farewell was Chairman of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference Lan Shaomin, Chinese Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam Xiao Jianguo and Ambassador of Brunei Darussalam to China Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Pahlawan Colonel (Rtd) Dato Paduka Haji Abdu’r Rahmani bin Dato Paduka Haji Basir.
