The 24th World Winter Universiade opened in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on February 18.

More than 1,600 athletes from 44 countries and regions compete for gold medals in 81 events of 12 sports, all record high numbers, in the 11-day biennial games.

It is the first time for China to host the world's second largest multi-sport winter event, next only to the winter Olympics.

Here the game's mascot Dongdong dances with skaters at the opening ceremony.