Chinese delegation arrives in Sapporo for Asian Winter Games

The Chinese delegation to the Asian Winter Games, spearheaded by the short track speed-skating team, arrived in Sapporo on Friday at the New Chitose Airport.

China sent a 236-strong delegation to the 8th Asian Winter Games, which will run from Feb. 19-26. China will compete in all events at the Games, which will attract some 2,300 athletes from 31 countries and regions.

Li Yan, head coach of the Chinese short track speed-skating team, told Xinhua that she asked the team to focus on themselves and try their best to achieve good results.

"We can already feel the atmosphere here," said Li. "We will have some good rest today and tomorrow we'll go to the venue for training."

The short track speed-skating competition kicks off on Feb. 20, and the Chinese team have only two days to get familiar with the venue.

China's short-track speed skaters, who captured six gold medals at the last two Winter Olympics, are believed to be strong medal contenders in Japan.

Skater Han Tianyu won the men's 1,500m at the 2016 World Championships, and Wu Dajing claimed the men's 500m title at the 2016 World Cup in Shanghai. World champion Fan Kexin will try to prove herself in the women's 500m this time after failing in the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.

"I hope I can have good results in the 500m and relay," said Wu Dajing.

The figure skating and ski jumping team will arrive on Saturday.

The Chinese delegation will hold its flag-raising ceremony on Saturday. Endit