Press Release
Date: February 13, 2025

HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck Attends Presidential Banquet at the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China

Harbin, China – His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck was a distinguished guest at the Presidential Banquet hosted by the President of the People’s Republic of China, H.E Xi Jinping, on February 7, 2025. The banquet was held on the eve of the Opening Ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China.

HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck, attended the event alongside other notable guests, including the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Thomas Bach; First Vice President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Mr. Timothy Tsun Ting Fok, Vice Presidents of the OCA, the Director General and Deputy Director General of the OCA, as well as the candidates standing for the upcoming IOC presidency.

The banquet was also graced by several high-profile leaders, highlighting the strong international support for the Games. Notable attendees included the Sultan of Brunei, H.H Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah; President of Kyrgyzstan, H.E Sadyr Japarov, and his wife First Lady Aigul Japarova; President of Pakistan, H.E Asif Ali Zardari; Prime Minister of Thailand, H.E Paetongtarn Shinawatra; Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, H.E Woo Won-shik, and his wife, Madam Shin Kyung-hye;. Their presence reflected the shared commitment to fostering regional cooperation through sports.

In his address, President Xi Jinping emphasized the significance of the Asian Winter Games in fostering peace, development, and cultural exchange across Asia. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among nations to address global challenges, highlighting the role of sports as a bridge to foster mutual understanding and to strengthen people-to-people bonds.

HRH Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck’s participation in the event reaffirms Bhutan’s commitment to international sports cooperation and in providing opportunities for Bhutanese athletes to compete on the international. The Bhutan Olympic Committee remains dedicated to promoting Olympic values and to strengthen Bhutan’s presence in international sports forums and foster the next generation of athletes.

The 9th Asian Winter Games, hosted in Harbin, China, mark a significant milestone in winter sports and provide an exceptional platform for athletes from across the continent to showcase their skills and represent their nations. This is the second time that Harbin has hosted the Asian Winter Games, as Harbin had previously hosted the 3rd Asian Winter Games in 1996.