The General Office of the State Council recently released the "Opinions on Several Measures to Stimulate the Vitality of the Ice and Snow Economy by Promoting the High-Quality Development of Ice and Snow Sports" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions"). The "Opinions" propose measures in various aspects such as continuously promoting the development of ice and snow sports, improving the industrial chain of the ice and snow economy, enhancing infrastructure and supporting services, and promoting and expanding ice and snow consumption.

The State Council Information Office held a regular policy briefing on the day, during which the General Administration of Sport, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism introduced policies and measures aimed at stimulating the vitality of the ice and snow economy through the high-quality development of ice and snow sports.

Li Jing, Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, stated at the briefing that this document is an important one following the Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics, aimed at developing ice and snow sports and the ice and snow economy. It primarily adheres to a problem-oriented approach, focusing on addressing the bottlenecks and pain points that hinder the development of ice and snow sports and the ice and snow economy. The document contains many practical and effective measures, which are of great significance for promoting the development of ice and snow sports and the ice and snow economy.

Peng Fuwei, head of the Department of Social Development of the National Development and Reform Commission, stated that during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the department will work with relevant agencies including the General Administration of Sport of China to actively promote the inclusion of content related to the development of ice and snow sports and the ice and snow economy in relevant plans. Taking a holistic approach, they will further refine and improve policy measures, drive the integrated development of the ice and snow sports, culture, equipment, and tourism industries, expedite the construction of the "Ice and Snow Silk Road," and enhance international exchanges and cooperation in ice and snow activities, aiming to achieve the goals and tasks proposed in the "Opinions" as scheduled.

The "Opinion" sets out phased goals. By the year, the facilities for ice and snow sports will be more complete, service levels will significantly improve, ice and snow sports will be more extensively developed, China's international competitiveness in ice and snow sports will further enhance, and the total economic scale of the ice and snow industry will reach . trillion yuan. By the year, the main industrial chains of the ice and snow economy will achieve high-level coordinated and integrated development, playing a more prominent role in expanding employment and promoting high-quality development. Ice and snow consumption will become an important growth point for expanding domestic demand, a number of high-quality destinations for ice and snow sports and tourism will be built, the "Ice and Snow Silk Road" and the China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization Ice and Snow Sports Demonstration Zone will reach new heights, and the total economic scale of the ice and snow industry will reach . trillion yuan.

Li Jing introduced that the "Opinion" contains many new measures and initiatives, with at least four breakthroughs. The first is the development of the competitive performance industry, the second is the strengthening of the talent team in ice and snow sports, the third is the increase in financial support, and the fourth is the improvement of land use policies. Additionally, the "Opinion" also outlines plans for promoting ice and snow consumption, improving supporting services, and strengthening international cooperation.

The role of sports events in driving economic development is significant, contributing to consumption promotion and investment stimulation. At the beginning of this year, the 14th National Winter Games had a substantial pulling effect on promoting sports consumption. According to estimates, during the event, Hulunbuir received a total of . million tourists, achieving a total of billion yuan in sports consumption and other related expenditures.

Yang Xuexiang, Director of the Department of Economic Affairs of the General Administration of Sport of China, introduced at a briefing that the "Opinions" also made arrangements and put forward requirements for the development of the ice and snow sports competition performance industry and the ice and snow event economy. In the next step, the supply of high-level ice and snow events will be increased, encouraging various regions to organize, host, or apply for high-level ice and snow events such as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating, the China Curling League, the ISU Speed Skating World Cup, and the FIS Snowboard and Freestyle Skiing Big Air World Cup, based on local conditions. The "National Mass Ice and Snow Season" activities will be organized, guiding various regions to hold diverse and rich ice and snow activities to better meet the needs of the public.

The document proposes specific measures in several areas while promoting the development of ice and snow sports, including fostering regional coordination in the ice and snow economy, preserving and developing ice and snow culture, advancing the high-quality development of ice and snow equipment and gear industries, and optimizing the development of ice and snow tourism, thereby driving the integrated development of the entire industrial chain encompassing ice and snow sports, culture, equipment, and tourism.

Ice and snow equipment is the foundation for the development of ice and snow sports and an important component of the ice and snow economy. The equipment for ice and snow sports not only includes popular sports gear such as ski goggles, ski suits, and ski boots, but also includes competitive sports equipment and venue equipment.

In recent years, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has focused on the urgent needs of mass ice and snow sports and competitive equipment. In collaboration with relevant departments such as the General Administration of Sport of China, it has strengthened policy coordination and central-local linkage, implemented the "Action Plan for the Development of Ice and Snow Equipment Industry (-year)", accelerated the cultivation and development of the ice and snow equipment industry, and achieved positive results.

Haolishun, a senior official from the Department of Equipment Industry I of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, introduced that after years of development, China has formed a comprehensive system of major types of ice and snow equipment and products, basically achieving full coverage of ice and snow equipment from head to toe, from individuals to venues, from competitive sports to mass sports, and across the entire industrial chain. The number of enterprises has increased from about 1,000 in a certain year to around 2,000 in 2022, and sales revenue has grown from less than 10 billion yuan in a certain year to about 100 billion yuan in 2022.

Overall, the development of China's ice and snow equipment industry is rapid, with significant technological advancements. With the popularization of ice and snow sports, there is still substantial potential and room for future growth.

In recent years, new technologies represented by artificial intelligence and virtual reality have become powerful engines driving the high-quality development of ice and snow equipment, giving rise to many new products and models. These innovations enhance the experience of ice and snow sports enthusiasts, such as simulation ski machines that use virtual reality technology to mimic real skiing scenarios, allowing people to experience colorful and thrilling skiing adventures without leaving home. Smart ski insoles can collect data on foot pressure, motion acceleration, and sliding path during skiing, serving as "personal coaches" for skiing enthusiasts.

Hao Lishun stated that the next step will involve the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology increasing the supply of ice and snow equipment and gear to boost snow consumption, promoting the integration of new technologies with ice and snow equipment, and supporting the vigorous development of ice and snow sports, thereby further stimulating the vitality of the ice and snow economy. The ministry will also study and introduce measures to promote the high-quality development of sports equipment, including ice and snow equipment, further optimizing the development environment and invigorating the market.