ISU President, Jae Youl Kim, and Director of Winter Sports Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport of China, Wang Lei, Beijing, China, 2024. © ISU

As a significant step forward in the strategic “ISU Vision 2030” plan, the International Skating Union (ISU) and the Winter Sports Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport of China (CWSAC) recently held a very fruitful meeting in Beijing (CHN), focused on expanding the collaboration between the two organizations to further elevate ice skating sports and events in China. ISU President Jae Youl Kim, Director General Colin Smith, and CWSAC Director Wang Lei, alongside senior officials, discussed strategies to enhance collaboration, drive innovation and promote sustainability, to the benefit of skaters, fans, and the skating community in China and around the globe.

Reunion of ISU and Winter Sports Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport of China dignitaries inBeijing, China, 2024. © ISU

China plays a pivotal role in the development of ice-skating sports and the hosting of world-class events. The International Skating Union (ISU) is honored to announce enhanced collaboration with the CWSAC.

ISU Director General, Colin Smith, and Director of Winter Sports Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport of China, Wang Lei, Beijing, China, 2024. © ISU

United by shared ambitions, the CWSAC has pledged its strong support for the implementation of the ISU Vision 2030, a forward-looking strategy aimed at modernizing the ISU across multiple levels – event formats, branding, promotion, sustainability and fan engagement – while firmly upholding its core values of fairness, clean sport and safeguarding.

Kexin Fan, Li Gong, Xiaojun Lin and Shaoang Liu of China celebrate winning after they compete in the Mixed Team Relay Final A during ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2024 at AHOY Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands. © ISU

As Beijing gears up to host several high-profile ISU events this season, including the ISU World Short Track Championships in March 2025, the CWSAC and the Chinese Skating Association (CSA) have showcased their organizational progress made in preparing for these competitions. The presence of key figures from the local organizing committees underscored a collective commitment to delivering highly engaging and successful events.

Lin Xiaojun (CHN) competes in the Mens 5000M Relay Semifinals during the 2023 ISU World Cup Short Track in Beijing, China. © ISU

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the introduction of the ISU Short Track World Tour – a new global series of events designed to deliver an explosive, dynamic and entertaining Short Track racing experience like never before. China is particularly excited to host the fifth leg of this inaugural series in Beijing from December 6-8, 2024.

Kexin Fan, Li Gong, Xiaojun Lin and Shaoang Liu (CHN) celebrate winning after they compete in the Mixed Team Relay Final A during ISU World Short Track Speed Skating Championships 2024 at AHOY Arena in Rotterdam, Netherlands. © ISU

Another key topic was Beijing’s Centers of Excellence (CoEs) that significantly contribute to the development of Speed Skating, Figure Skating, Short Track and Synchronized Skating in China. The CWSAC expressed its dedication to further enhancing Beijing as a central hub for elite skating through the organization of international training camps for skaters and coaches, building on the legacy of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games (OWG).

A general view shows the National Speed Skating Oval, known as the 'Ice Ribbon', the venue for speed skating events at the 2022 Winter Olympics, in Beijing. It is also the home of the ISU Beijing Center of Excellence (CoE) for Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating. © Getty Images

 ISU Center of Excellence (CoE) for Speed Skating and Short Track Speed Skating training in Beijing, China, 2024. © ISU

Looking ahead, the ISU and CWSAC are excited to collaborate closely in advancing the sports, in alignment with the ISU Vision 2030 strategic goals. In particular, special emphasis will be placed on creating outdoor skating events in China’s picturesque locations, which will provide opportunities for mass participation and expand the sport’s appeal to a wider audience.

Young children taking part in Speed Skating lessons at an outdoor rink at a local park in Beijing, China, 2022. © Getty Images