As snow and ice settles over Northeast China, the city of Shenyang is preparing for its biggest cultural event of the year in early 2005. The festival will ring numerous variations on the theme of snow and ice.

On Monday, a press conference was held in Shenyang to announce the 2005 China International Snow and Ice Festival, which will open on January 15. Shenyang is running the festival in partnership with the Japanese city of Sapporo, which has long-term experience in organizing such outdoor events.

Qipan Mountain in the suburbs of Shenyang has been chosen as the main venue for the festival's 35 activities. Besides local forms of fun, there will also be imported entertainment from Russia and Japan. During the month-long event, a series of contests will be held in snow and ice sculpture, as well as outdoor sports like skiing, skating and snowmobile racing.

(CCTV.com December 16, 2004)