Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu left Hong Kong for Harbin in Heilongjiang province on Thursday to attend the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games on Friday, and support the city’s athletes.

Lee, accompanied by his wife Janet Lee Lam Lai-sim, was invited by the Heilongjiang government to conduct a seven-day visit to the Northeast China province.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region delegation also includes Rosanna Law Shuk-pui, secretary for culture, sports and tourism, and Carol Yip Man-kuen, director of the Chief Executive’s Office.

READ MORE: Torch relay of 9th Asian Winter Games held in Harbin

A highlight of Lee’s visit will be the games’ opening ceremony. The multi-sports meeting will be held in Harbin from Friday until Feb 14. Group events began on Monday.

Hong Kong SAR has sent its largest-ever delegation to the games, with 74 athletes due to compete in curling, ice hockey, figure skating, short track speed skating, speed skating and alpine skiing.

Lee is scheduled to meet the Hong Kong athletes and attend various events.

The Harbin Asian Winter Games marks Hong Kong curling players’ debut in international multi-sports meetings.

On Thursday, the Hong Kong, China team will compete in two group matches of the mixed doubles category, which will begin at 2pm and 6pm, respectively. A day before, Hong Kong athletes have already secured victories in a curling match against Kuwait and an ice hockey match against India.

READ MORE: Heilongjiang ready to embrace Asian Winter Games

Lee will also visit various cultural and tourism facilities to gain further insight into the development of Harbin, before returning to Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Contact the writer at stephyzhang@chinadailyhk.com