China’s Ice and Snow Economy: A New Frosty Frontier for Sino-Pakistani Collaboration

The recent visit of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to China’s “Ice City” of Harbin, coinciding with the 9th Asian Winter Games, was more than a diplomatic gesture, as it underscored the deepening ties between Pakistan and China. This event not only highlights the cultural and diplomatic rapport between the two nations but also symbolizes the growing ice and snow economy that China has methodically promoted.

President Xi Jinping welcomed President Asif Ali Zardari and other heads of states from Asia who attended the grand opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China. The games, scheduled from February 7 to 14, have attracted over 1,200 athletes from 34 countries. The games offer an opportunity to further deepen cultural cooperation among regional nations and promote sports diplomacy.

Prior to the games, President Xi and President Zardari met in Beijing and discussed the partnership between the brotherly countries and reiterated their commitments. President Xi said that “China stands ready to work with Pakistan to advance their respective modernization drives,”  while the Pakistani side reaffirmed that the friendship is the “cornerstone of its foreign policy.”

In recent years, China’s ice and snow economy has experienced remarkable growth, driven by the rapid development of winter tourism and sports. According to reports, China is expected to incorporate the ice and snow economy into the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030).

China’s strategy to promote its frosty landscapes offers Pakistan a timely blueprint and opens avenues for economic collaboration. Particularly in the growing ice and snow economy, the visit has implications that could create new opportunities within the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Framework.

Harbin’s winter wonderland: a model of cold-climate commerce

Harbin, renowned for its annual Ice and Snow Festival and cutting-edge winter sports infrastructure in the north-eastern part of China, exemplifies China’s vision to transform icy terrains and landscapes into socio-economic assets. After the successful organization of 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China accelerated investments in cold-region tourism, renewable energy solutions for snow sports, and climate-resilient infrastructure.

According to the local tourism bureau, Harbin welcomed 179 million tourists in 2024 with a year-on-year increase of over 30 percent. From December 2024 onwards, over 2 million visitors have attended the famous Harbin Ice-Snow World, which is expected to increase further due to the ongoing 9th Asian Winter Games.

The sector has become a significant driver of winter tourism, economic development, and local consumption. By attracting millions of visitors, both domestic and international, and supporting the creation of jobs, infrastructure, and service trade, the ice and snow industry is proving to be a driver of economic prosperity.

The Asian Winter Games spotlighted this ambition of China’s leadership, showcasing innovations like carbon-neutral ice rinks and AI-driven tourism platforms. According to China’s national blueprint for the ice and snow economy, China’s ice and snow economy is projected to surpass 1.5 trillion Yuan by 2030, driven by domestic demand and international partnerships.

Pakistan’s cold calculus: learning from the north

Northern Pakistan, home to the snow-capped peaks of Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, mirrors Harbin’s geographic potential but lacks comparable infrastructure facilities.

Northern areas of Pakistan are home to one of the highest concentrations of elevated snow-covered peaks and around 7253 known glaciers. This region is also the meeting point of the three great mountain ranges: Himalaya, Karakorum and Hindukush (HKH). Despite the huge potential, Pakistan is unable to develop winter tourism in this region due to lack of infrastructure and facilities.

Based on China’s experience, the opportunity lies in the integration of winter tourism and sports into CPEC that can unlock the economic potential and development in the underserved regions of Pakistan. Pakistan’s northern regions, with their mountainous terrains and snowfall, are ideal for developing winter tourism and sports facilities. The development of infrastructure, including ski resorts and related infrastructure along the Karakoram Highway or eco-friendly ice festivals in the region, can have huge implications which could enhance tourism, generate employment, attract investment, and position Pakistan as an adventure tourism hub.

Moreover, such initiatives align with the broader goals of CPEC, which supports modernizing Pakistan’s infrastructure and improve its connectivity within the region. By tapping into the ice and snow economy, Pakistan can attract tourists from across Asia and beyond, further integrating itself into the regional economy. 

Expanding and diversifying CPEC projects into cold climates aligns with both nations’ goals. China’s expertise in building high-altitude infrastructure, which is evident from the construction of railways and tunnels in the mountainous regions, could aid and assist Pakistan in developing glacial roads and winter-ready facilities. Such projects would allow easy access and smooth flow of traffic to the remote and isolated winter travel destinations.

In terms of sustainability, balancing development with environmental preservation is critical in all projects. China’s emphasis on “green ice and snow” initiatives—a theme echoed during the Asian Games—can guide CPEC’s winter projects to avoid ecological degradation. Moreover, green technologies pioneered in Harbin, such as solar-powered snow-melting systems, offer a sustainable framework for Pakistan’s northern regions amid harsh winter conditions. Additionally, fostering cultural exchanges, like athlete training programs or winter sports academies, could further deepen people-to-people ties.

Beyond the Belt and Road

The Harbin visit signals a strategic advance. CPEC is entering a new phase where collaboration transcends traditional infrastructure. Integrating elements of China’s ice and snow economy into CPEC could diversify and strengthen this partnership.

For Pakistan, CPEC has already transformed Pakistan’s infrastructure landscape, delivering energy projects, modernizing transportation networks, and creating millions of jobs. However, the corridor’s potential extends far beyond its current achievements.

By embracing the ice and snow economy, China and Pakistan can cultivate a partnership that is both economically vibrant and ecologically mindful. For Pakistan, this could mean transforming its northern frontiers into engines of growth; for China, it reinforces its role as a mentor in cold-climate development.

President Zardari’s visit symbolizes more than diplomatic goodwill; it highlights the potential for innovative economic collaboration. By leveraging China’s expertise in the ice and snow sector, Pakistan can unlock new avenues for growth, enriching the CPEC framework and strengthening the enduring partnership between the two nations.

The article reflects the author’s opinions, and not necessarily the views of China Focus.