The 2017 event was the eighth staging of the Asian Winter Games, with Sapporo hosting them for the third time, following 1986 and 1990. It was the fourth time Japan had staged the Games.

Members of the Chinese delegation celebrate with performers and volunteers during the closing ceremony of the 9th Asian ... contested Winter Asiad since the inaugural Games in 1986.

HARBIN, China — Associated Press photographers captured the most exciting moments of the first six days of the Asian Winter Games, including some gravity-defying moves from ice hockey ...

It is the ninth edition of the event, stretching back to 1986, but the first since ... There is no direct qualification for the Winter Olympics, but the Asian Winter Games will act as preparation.

The Asian Winter Games have been held intermittently since 1986. Only four countries, namely Japan, China, South Korea, and Kazakhstan have played host to the continental winter multi-sports event.

Sapporo hosted the first and second Asian Winter Games in 1986 and 1990. "Compared to the first and second Asian Winter Games the standard of living for the whole of Asia has been raised.