The China Hockey Development Summit Forum was successfully held to promote the development of hockey in China...

      On the morning of October 19, 2019, the China Hockey Development Summit Forum – China-Finland Hockey Forum, one of the parallel forums of the International Winter Sports (Beijing) Expo, was held at the China National Convention Center. The forum invited dozens of guests, including Wang Chunlu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, Jarno Syrjälä, Finnish Ambassador to China, and Zhu Kai, Director of the Sports Department of People’s Daily Online and Chairman of People’s Sports, to discuss strategies for promoting hockey in China and develop ideas to address challenges encountered in the process.

Speech by Wang Chunlu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Ice Hockey Association

      In her opening speech, Wang Chunlu, Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese Ice Hockey Association, stated that the purpose of this China Hockey Development Summit Forum is to respond to the national call to engage 300 million people in ice and snow sports, support the 2019 China-Finland Winter Sports Year, establish an authoritative communication platform between Chinese and Finnish hockey communities, and offer advice for the development of hockey in China. It also aims to promote the popularization and development of youth hockey, better serve the preparation for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and advance the implementation of the Sports Powerhouse Construction Outline.

Speech by Jarno Syrjälä, Finnish Ambassador to China

      Sixty-seven years ago, China and Finland forged ties through the Olympics, and the 2019 China-Finland Winter Sports Year has opened a new chapter in bilateral sports cooperation. Jarno Syrjälä, Finnish Ambassador to China, noted that Finland is a global hockey powerhouse. Although hockey collaboration between the two countries is still in its early stages, Finland hopes to share its successful experience in hockey education, training, and management to help China improve its hockey infrastructure and establish a comprehensive ecosystem for hockey development. He looks forward to hockey becoming a popular winter sport in China soon.

Speech by Zhu Kai, Director of the Sports Department of People’s Daily Online and Chairman of People’s Sports

      The promotion and popularity of hockey across Chinese society relies not only on the efforts of professionals but also on media support. Zhu Kai, Director of the Sports Department of People’s Daily Online and Chairman of People’s Sports, stated that although China has made significant achievements in promoting ice and snow sports in recent years, compared to leading ice and snow nations, there are still issues such as low competitive standards, limited public participation, and a weak industrial foundation. As a leading media outlet in China, People’s Daily Online feels a strong sense of mission and responsibility in advancing the development of China’s ice and snow sports and fostering deep cooperation during the China-Finland Winter Sports Year.

Speech by Peng Yuan, Director of People’s Sports·People’s Skiing and Skating at People’s Daily Online

      Subsequently, Peng Yuan, Director of People’s Sports·People’s Skiing and Skating at People’s Daily Online, further introduced the existing achievements and future plans of the “People’s Skiing and Skating” industry service platform in promoting ice and snow sports and hockey.

During the keynote speeches, Kimo Oijarainen, General Manager of the Finnish Ice Hockey Association’s National Youth Team, shared Finland’s experience in nurturing hockey talent; Xin Tieliang, President of the Beijing Ice Hockey Association, discussed the association’s efforts in popularizing hockey culture and encouraging youth participation; Tommi Niemelä, Deputy General Manager of UROS Group, talked about the remarkable changes brought by digital technology to sporting events and audience experiences; and Juha Vouri, Director of Verumaki Finnish Sports Academy, shared Finland’s successful approach to training top-tier hockey coaches and athletes.

Dialogue: The Future of China-Finland Hockey

      In recent years, China and Finland, a traditional hockey powerhouse, have engaged in multi-level exchanges and cooperation across various fields, and future collaboration between the two countries holds even greater promise. At this forum, Zhu Zhiqiang, President of Harbin Sport University, moderated a high-level dialogue themed “The Future of China-Finland Hockey.” Together with Gao Hongqun, Deputy Director of Qiqihar Sports Bureau, Fan Jun, Chairman of Beijing Century Star Skating Club Co., Ltd., Sun Rui, former captain of the Chinese national women’s ice hockey team, Wang Xiaoliang, Head Coach of the Chinese Ice Hockey Academy, Ossi Piispanen, Managing Director of BAFO Group, and Joel Paunio, Business Expert of the Finnish International Hockey Development Group, they discussed Finland’s hockey development experience and expressed strong confidence in deep China-Finland collaboration and the future of hockey in China.

Dialogue: How to Promote Hockey Culture Across Chinese Society

      Beijing’s successful bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics has created opportunities for the development of hockey in China, but for the sport to truly thrive, support from the entire society is needed. Peng Yuan, Director of People’s Sports·People’s Skiing and Skating at People’s Daily Online, moderated the second high-level dialogue themed “How to Promote Hockey Culture Across Chinese Society.” Together with Ao Meng, President of Beijing Kunlun Red Star Hockey Club, Zhao Xianglin, President of Beijing Aosports Development Co., Ltd., Wang Jing, Director of the Skiing and Skating Division of China Sports Daily, Huang Jun, Director of China Children’s Film Studio and Head of Children’s Film R&D at China Film Group Corporation, Sakari Pietilä, Head Coach of Verumaki Finnish Sports Academy, and Jaakko Jappinen, Marketing Manager of the Imatra Training Base in Finland, they explored feasible strategies for promoting hockey culture throughout China. Based on their respective fields of expertise, the guests offered insights on hockey talent development, infrastructure construction, public cultural outreach, and artistic and visual support.

Exhibition of Historical Hockey Images in China Released

Award Ceremony for “Outstanding Contributors to Chinese Hockey”

Children’s Hockey Equipment Dress-Up Competition

      The forum also held an award ceremony for “Outstanding Contributors to Chinese Hockey,” where nine representatives of the first generation of hockey pioneers—including Li Wanji, Yu Zaizhou, Lü Zhongxiang, Qiu Xianglin, and Li Wenhong—were honored with the title. Qiu Xianglin also shared a collection of precious historical hockey photos during the launch of the China Hockey Historical Image Exhibition. The forum also organized a fun children’s hockey equipment dress-up competition, showcasing the spirit of young hockey players in China.

      Riding the wave of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, hockey—a highly entertaining sport—is gradually gaining popularity in China. However, there is still a long way to go before China becomes a hockey powerhouse. The successful hosting of this China Hockey Development Summit Forum—China-Finland Hockey Forum will surely provide insights for deep cooperation in hockey culture between China and Finland, as well as the promotion and development of hockey across Chinese society.