China's winter sports industry to reach $144.5b in total value by 2025

Children play ice hockey at a traininig center in Harbin, capital of Northeast China's Heilongjiang, Feb 2, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

China's winter sports industry is expected to reach one trillion yuan, or $144.5 billion, in total value by 2025.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) made the statement while issuing plans related to the development of winter sports in China.

The 2022 Winter Olympics will be co-hosted by Beijing and neighboring Zhangjiakou. The announcement by the IOC last year has brought renewed domestic interest in China for winter sports.

By 2025, 50 million people in China are expected to directly participate in winter sports, according to the plans by the NDRC. The industry's total value will reach 600 billion yuan by 2020 and one trillion yuan by 2025, added the plans.

An official from the NDRC said the plans will help promote tourism, construction and other byproducts related to winter sports.