China-Russia ice hockey friendly match held on border river

Participants from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Russia's Amur Region taking part in an ice hockey friendly match between the two countries take a group photo near the site of the match on the Heilongjiang River, the border river between China and Russia, on January 14, 2018. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

A China-Russia ice hockey friendly match has been held on the Heilongjiang River, the border river between the two countries.

The match saw teams of children and teenagers from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Russia's Amur Region vying for victory.

Participants from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Russia's Amur Region compete against each other in an ice hockey friendly match between the two countries on the Heilongjiang River, the border river between China and Russia, on January 14, 2018. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

The event attracted over 500 spectators from China and Russia.

"I think the event is quite meaningful for both countries, especially for cultural exchanges. I hope such an event will be held every year, to promote bilateral ties," said Natasha, a Russian spectator.

"I hope ice hockey will be further popularized in both China and Russia. The sports will become more prosperous. Such competition will attract more people to pay close attention to ice hockey. I should say today is the festival of the two peoples that we celebrate here together," said Serhiy, another Russian spectator.

Participants from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province and Russia's Amur Region compete against each other in an ice hockey friendly match between the two countries on the Heilongjiang River, the border river between China and Russia, on January 14, 2018. [Photo: Chinanews.com]

Russia eventually beat China 3-0 in the children's match, and 1-0 in the teenagers' match.

This is the second time that the two countries have held an ice hockey friendly match along the river, with the first match held in January 2017.