Advertisement
Opinion
Like Harbin, Hong Kong should focus on what makes it unique
Harbin’s attraction for visitors lies in its distinctive weather and Russian legacy. In the same way, Hong Kong should draw on its colonial past and local colour
3-MIN READ3-MIN
4
John Hanzhang Ye is a PhD student in science and technology history at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities and also holds an MPhil degree in sociology from the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu wrapped up his recent visit to the Asian Winter Games in Harbin with a local breakfast that “warmed” his heart. He not only met Hong Kong athletes but also visited cultural and tourism spots, including the famed Central Street, to learn how Harbin, also known as China’s Ice City, built its tourism industry.
Lee attributed the success of Heilongjiang, China’s northernmost province of which Harbin is the capital, to its focus on ice and snow, and lauded its integration of sports and cultural tourism as an inspiration for Hong Kong.
But although this is Harbin’s second time hosting the Asian Winter Games – the previous was in 1996 – its Ice City reputation goes back many decades more. The Harbin Ice and Snow World, which welcomed more than 3 million visitors this year, is just one part of the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival, an annual celebration that can trace its roots back to the 1960s.
Select Voice
Select Speed
1x
AI-generated voice