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Home News A successful week in Jilin Province, less than a year before the Changchun 2027 FISU Winter Universiade

A successful week in Jilin Province, less than a year before the Changchun 2027 FISU Winter Universiade

4 February 2026
Changchun's Snow and Ice World was a truly magical reward after the numerous meetings.

The International University Federation’s Executive Committee as well as its top management spent a week in Changchun, holding meetings, visiting venues but also experiencing the local culture and witnessing the Organising Committee’s great work as well as warm welcome.

At the end of January, a strong delegation from FISU travelled to China to hold an Executive Committee Meeting, but also to experience first hand the snow and ice traditions of Changchun and the Jilin Province, less than one year before the Changchun 2027 FISU Winter Universiade (15-25 January 2027) kick off.

Their time there was busy also outside the Executive Committee Meeting room – you will find below a summary of some of their main activities – and they all travelled back home excited to come back to experience a fantastic upcoming event.

Welcome meeting and working dinner

FISU Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund, FISU President Leonz Eder, Secretary of Jilin Provincial Party Committee Mr. Huang Qiang and Governor Hu Yuting.

On 29 January, the Secretary of Jilin Provincial Party Committee Mr. Huang Qiang, Governor Hu Yuting, Mayor Gu Gang and distinguished leaders of Jilin Province, Changchun City and Jilin City hosted a welcome meeting and working dinner.

First of all, MM. Huang Qiang and Hu Yuting extended a warm welcome to President Leonz Eder and expressed appreciation for the International University Sports Federation’s strong support for the Changchun Winter Universiade before giving the assistance information on the preparation’s progress since winning the bid for the 2027 FISU Winter Universiade in November 2025:

  • With the support and guidance of national ministries including the Ministry of Education and the General Administration of Sport, preparation has advanced at full speed with the exceptional efficiency of both Jilin Province and Changchun City.
  • With less than a year to go until the opening, it is hoped that FISU will provide strong guidance in areas such as venue renovation and upgrading, and collaborate closely to ensure the success of the FISU World Conference on University Sports, a key highlight of the event.
  • The hosts expressed full confidence in fulfilling the role of organisers, pledging to mobilise the province’s resources to deliver a streamlined, safe and splendid Winter Universiade in Changchun, coordinating all tasks in parallel to create a vibrant winter sports celebration for university students worldwide.

FISU President Leonz Eder warmly thanked Jilin Provincial Government for its hospitality: “Under your strong leadership, and with the vigorous support of the China Student Sports Federation (CSSF), the Organising Committee has achieved remarkable progress, which has greatly exceeded our expectations. The competition schedule has been fully determined, and all competition and training venues have been confirmed. These solid achievements fully demonstrate the high efficiency and strong execution of the Chinese side in organising major international sports events. FISU has always attached great importance to the preparation and is committed to working with the Chinese side to present a wonderful, extraordinary and memorable winter games to the world’s youth.”

City tour and visits

The FISU delegation also visited several competition venues as well as some of the city’s highlights:

The Changchun Wanda Mall, with its huge and recently inaugurated indoor ski slope with China’s largest vertical drop.

The FISU delegation visited some of the future competition venues, like the Jilin Provincial Speed Skating Ring & Wuhuan Gymnasium.

Jingyuetan Park, a frozen and freezing wonderland.

The magical Changchun Snow and Ice World, looking even more wonderful at night.

Farewell banquet

The very positive visits ended with a farewell banquet on 31 January.

The farewell banquet – during which several dances and local artists were invited to perform – was hosted by Mr. GU Gang, Deputy Secretary of the Changchun Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China and Mayor of Changchun.

“Since the Winter Universiade bid, Changchun and FISU have forged a strong collaborative friendship”, said Mr. Gu Gang in his speech. “The delegation travelled from afar, bringing professional expertise and a rigorous approach to jointly advance preparations.”
“Together, we completed critical tasks such as approving core event matters and provided professional, practical suggestions on venue upgrades, competition scheduling, and service support, guiding us to overcome challenges efficiently. Changchun will always cherish this unreserved support and sincere partnership.”

FISU President Leonz Eder warmly thanked Mr. Gu and the OC for for welcoming the FISU team in Changchun. He mentioned once again the impressive progress that the organising committee has done in the past weeks and for championing the Winter Universiade project with such energy, conviction, and pride.

Throughout their stay, FISU President Leonz Eder and Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund gave numerous interviews to local and national media representatives, who were eager to get as much information on the future Changchun 2027 FISU Winter Universiade, which will for sure be one of their next highlights.

FISU Secretary General and CEO Matthias Remund
and President Leonz Eder answering the press.

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