Zhu Shanzhong, deputy director-general of the China National Tourism Administration, delivers a speech at the news conference on Nov 25, 2011.[Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 28th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival will hold its grand opening ceremony on January 5, 2012, said Lin Duo, mayor of Harbin, at a news conference in Beijing on Nov 25, 2011. The 2012 China-Russia Tourism Year, co-hosted by the National Tourism Administration and provincial government of Heilongjiang, will begin at the same time.

During the international festival, dance, acrobatics and fashion shows will be performed on the ice. The ice lantern park provides visitors a chance to appreciate the best ice and snow gardening art in the world. Top-class ice and snow artwork will be on exhibition for the international college students snow sculpture competition, the International Snow Sculpture Championships and the International Ice Sculpture Championships.

Compared with previous festivals, this year’s ice and snow festival is not only international, but also entertaining. Film festivals, group wedding ceremonies, comic exhibitions and the Asia performance festival will also be held on the ice during the ice and snow festival.

Citizens and visitors are invited to take part in the festival by participating in activities including family games on the ice and a skiing competition.

Lin Duo said the annual Economic and Trade Fair will open during the festival. As it is the China-Russia Tourism Year, the fair is expected to strengthen economic and trade cooperation with Russia. Eight exhibition areas including equipment manufacturing, green food and tourism products will be displayed at the fair.