Changchun, China — The 9th Jilin International Snow and Ice Industry Expo (Snow Expo) was held in Changchun, the capital of Jilin Province, from 18 to 22 December 2025, with broad participation. The Expo was jointly organized by the Jilin Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the Changchun Municipal Government.
Covering a total exhibition area of 61,500 square meters, the event featured 10 main exhibition zones and hosted more than 420 participating companies and approximately 550 brands. The Expo was organized in line with the objectives emphasized at the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, particularly the goals of “strengthening cultural confidence, enhancing prosperity, and promoting environmentally friendly development.”
A Comprehensive Industrial Chain Aligned with National Strategies
The ninth edition of the Snow and Ice Industry Expo should be assessed in conjunction with China’s strategy for the “Comprehensive Revitalization of the Northeast.” Within the framework of Jilin Province’s development strategy tailored to winter tourism and its regional production model, the Expo functions as a driving force for the diversification and restructuring of the regional economy. On the occasion of the Expo, a wide range of interconnected sectors—such as winter tourism, winter sports, culture, technology, and equipment manufacturing—are brought together under a single platform, thereby creating the conditions for coordinated production and industrial synergy.
Building on the legacy of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, China continues to develop policies and initiatives in line with its goal of “engaging 300 million people in ice and snow sports.” As an important civilian event serving this national objective, the International Snow and Ice Industry Expo aims to increase public interest in winter sports, disseminate sports culture, and stimulate domestic demand. In this context, more than 170 provincial-level festivals and competitions organized within the scope of the Expo can be regarded as concrete steps toward achieving these goals.
The international dimension of the Expo also aligns with China’s policies of openness and global cooperation. In addition to the participation of travel agency representatives from 32 different countries, Austria’s role as the guest country and the organization of high-level events such as the China–Jilin–Austria Snow and Ice Industry Dialogue reflect China’s efforts to integrate its snow and ice industry into the global value chain.
In line with another key pillar of the national strategic agenda—namely the “strengthening of cultural confidence”—the Expo also hosted a wide range of performances through which regional and national cultures found expression. Cultural performances and parades representing the Korean (North Korean ethnicity), Manchu, Mongolian, and Han ethnic groups underscored China’s cultural diversity and social cohesion as a multiethnic country. At the same time, the extensive use of digital technologies throughout the Expo reflected China’s commitment to the concepts of “innovative development” and “Digital China.”
More Than 170 Provincial-Level Events Spanning the Entire Snow Season
From November 2025 to March 2026, approximately 170 snow and ice festivals and competitions at the provincial level and above are scheduled to be held. These include the Changchun Snow and Ice Festival, the Jilin Winter Festival, the 24th Chagan Lake Ice Fishing and Hunting Culture and Tourism Festival, the “Changbai Mountain Winter” Snow Tourism Season, the Powder Snow Festival, the Mass Winter Sports Season, the 2025–2026 National Youth Freestyle Skiing Aerials Championship, and the 20th Jilin Provincial Youth Biathlon Competition. Collectively, these events aim to stimulate winter-season consumption and strengthen the domestic market.
Conclusion
The 9th Jilin International Snow and Ice Industry Expo carries significance beyond impressive displays, commercial opportunities, and entertainment. By hosting the Expo, China presents a multifaceted platform through which it translates its national development plans, cultural diplomacy, and global cooperation vision into practice. The event serves as a clear demonstration of how Jilin—and China more broadly—positions the snow and ice industry not merely as an economic sector but also as a tool for social progress, cultural confidence, and strategic global integration. The Expo stands out as an exemplary model of how natural resources can be utilized sustainably and innovatively in China’s pursuit of high-quality growth.
