By Lauren Hallanan, NorCap Program Coordinator

Located in the center of Beijing, Houhai is known for its traditional hutongs, lively nightlife, and of course its chain of small, picturesque lakes for which it is named. Once the lakes freeze over in the winter, they turn the area into a massive outdoor ice skating rink which, as you can tell from the picture below, is hugely popular among the locals. NorCap decided to brave the cold and check out this fun winter activity.

Once we arrived, we discovered that the experience here was not exactly the same as what we might find back home: Houhai has a much wider variety of ice equipment, including not just ice skates, but ice-chairs and ice-bicycles as well! Ice chairs look like school chairs on gliders that riders propel along the ice using mini ski poles (simultaneously putting large dents in the ice) and ice bicycles appeared to be single wheel bikes set up on gliders. This time, we went the traditional route and rented ice skates, but I think many of us are planning a return trip to try out the other options.

While the majority of the people at Houhai consisted of amateurs having fun, some experienced skaters were also out there showing off their skills. When we were ready for a break, we stopped and joined the rest of the crowd, watching the speed skaters gliding around in a circle and the figure skaters in the middle, skating backwards and sideways with the occasional twirl or jump. The most impressive part was that many of these skaters appeared to be in their 50s and 60s!

After we wore ourselves out, we returned the skates and headed to the cafe across the street for some hot chocolate, cookies, and roasted chestnuts. What a perfect way to spend a winter afternoon!

By Joann Saridakis, NorCap Staff Intern

The average Chinese consumer has become the next target of athletic gear retailer Nike. The goal is to transform the sports culture in China so that spectators become active participants in the growing number of sports that have begun to take hold in the world’s most populous nation. Nike continues to struggle, however, with promoting participation in sports to a nation that does not regularly exercise by going to the gym or playing team or individual sports. One strategy has been to capitalize on the immense popularity of basketball, while another is to champion less familiar sports, such as snowboarding, by bringing professionals to China for exhibitions.

Basketball’s popularity throughout China, a contributing factor of which was undoubtedly Yao Ming’s success in the NBA, has led to a drastic increase in the participation in the sport among China’s younger generations. NBA China even launched its first online store in China in response to its ever-growing popularity, allowing for the purchase of NBA merchandise from anywhere in the country. Interestingly enough, NBA players faced with the ongoing lockout in the United States have turned to the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) as a temporary solution. CBA games will also be broadcasted in the United States for the first time this season, a result of the growing prominence of basketball in China.

Additionally, the CCP has been promoting a variety of sports through the organization of national games, which feature professional and amateur athletes from throughout China. Games are also available for youths and college students. While the intent of promoting these games is to help Chinese athletes excel on the world stage, it cannot but help to also influence China’s youth as they watch the elite athletes of their country compete in national and international tournaments. Exposed to a large variety of sports from childhood, and with the opportunity to participate, Chinese children will hopefully develop a long-lasting interest in exercise and sportsmanship, whether they compete professionally or play a pickup game in the park with friends.

For more information:
In China, Nike Sets Out to Alter Sports Mindset – The Wall Street Journal
Many think China is the next great frontier in golf – China Daily
Various national games boost China’s sporting prowess – Xinhua
NBA China launches online store – China Daily
US Players Look to East – China Daily