Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Hohhot, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) — An ice fishing competition was held at the Heishantou checkpoint in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, located on the Sino-Russian border along the Argun River, on Sunday. More than 100 fishing enthusiasts from various regions of the two countries, including from the Priargunsky Municipal District of Russia's Trans-Baikal Territory, took part in the competition.
That day, the temperature at the competition site dropped to minus 30 degrees Celsius, but such a bitter cold couldn't stop the enthusiastic participants. The frozen surface of the Argun River, with an average ice thickness of over 80 cm, was dotted with colorful tents where ice fishermen lowered their rods and bait into a hole cut in the ice, sat comfortably on stools next to heaters, and quietly awaited a bite.
The competition lasted just five hours. The winners were determined based on the weight of the fish caught, winning first, second, and third prizes, as well as the incentive prize and the "For International Friendship" prize. "It was a huge surprise to become champion! For me, ice fishing is not just a hobby, but a great passion in life. I'm looking forward to the competition here next year," said Yu Huan, the first prize winner, sharing his joyful mood.
Sunday's events weren't limited to fishing competitions; they also included a cultural and touristic celebration: before the competition, an opening ceremony was held with folk dancing, fireworks, and a bonfire, around which Chinese and Russian tourists joyfully sang and danced. In a specially designated entertainment area, tourists had the opportunity to ride snowmobiles, play curling, and participate in other winter activities. Furthermore, in a spacious temporary greenhouse, visitors were treated to a tasting of authentic food from the border regions of China and Russia, including boiled chicken and fish in a large cast-iron cauldron called "Tiegodun" and Russian-style shashlik.
As a reminder, this is the third ice fishing competition on the Argun River. Previous similar competitions here were successfully selected by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People's Republic of China and included in the list of the top 10 ice and snow tourism routes in China and the list of the top 10 specific events along the aforementioned routes.
According to Yu Zhongli, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports of Ergun City, where the aforementioned competitions were held, organizing such events as a unique tourism brand is intended to deepen the integrated development of sports events, culture and tourism, disseminate local advantages based on rich ice and snow resources and a border geographical location, thereby providing a sustainable driver for the high-quality development of the cultural and tourism industry. -0-
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