Why is Children’s Skiing Day to be held?

In conjunction with World Snow Day on Jan. 18, 15 ski resorts across China—from northwest Xinjiang to northeast Heilongjiang and to the southeast coastal provinces of Jiangsu and Zhe-jiang—will host Children’s Skiing Day for kids and their families to enjoy time on the slopes. Chinese organisers hope the event will help popularize snow sports in China and crank up support for Beijing’s bid for 2022 Winter Olympics.

China and Ecuador reached agreement on a visa exemption, as the energy-reliant Latin American country, facing a deep plunge in the price of oil, works to attract Chinese tourists and investors. Under the agreement, Chinese passport-holders will be able to visit the Andean country, with its abundant tourist attractions, without applying for a visa in advance, Ecuadorean President Fafael Correa said at a meeting with Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing on Thursday.