The opening ceremony of the 12th National Mass Winter Sports Season was held on Jan 6. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The opening ceremony of the 12th National Mass Winter Sports Season took place on Jan 6 at Siji Nanhe Riverside Park in Changchun, Northeast China's Jilin province.

Changchun's inaugural ice and snow sports carnival kicked off at the same time amid throngs of festive crowds and wintry splendor.

Olympic short-track speed skating champions Zhou Yang and Wu Dajing, both from Jilin province, took center stage to read the winter sports initiative, calling on the public to step onto the ice, embrace winter sports, and find joy.

The opening ceremony of the 12th National Mass Winter Sports Season wows attendees. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The ceremony also unveiled the 2025-26 China Ice and Snow Sports Events Calendar under the theme "Travel with the Sports Events". With Changchun serving as the main venue, this year's edition features sub-venues across Beijing, Chongqing, Sichuan and other regions, including 10 sites in Jilin province.

More than 2,000 competitions and activities will be organized throughout the snow season, combining elite events such as the FIS Freestyle Skiing Aerials Asian Cup with folk traditions and mass participation programs.

The opening night also featured public showcases of short-track speed skating, speed skating, figure skating, snow football and flag football.