Chongqing - On February 7, 2025, the opening ceremony of the 2025 Asian Winter Games took place in China’s Harbin, the capital city of Heilongjiang Province, with a spectacular display of lights and snowflakes illuminating the night sky. 

As the event’s official theme song, “Light up Asia,” echoed through the stadium, it carried the heartfelt words of Liang Mang, a celebrated lyricist from Chongqing and vice chairman of the Chongqing Musicians Association.

Liang Mang is a celebrated lyricist from Chongqing and vice chairman of the Chongqing Musicians Association. (Photo/Zheng Yu)

A veteran in the music industry, Liang Mang has written lyrics for over 40 iconic songs performed at China’s Spring Festival Gala. Earlier this year, he penned three songs for the 2025 Spring Festival Gala, blending contemporary style with emotional depth. His latest composition took center stage on the international platform just days later.

Southeners’ snow dream in music

Reflecting on the inspiration behind his lyrics, Liang Mang shared his personal connection to snow. “Every child from southern China dreams of snow,” he said, “I’m thrilled to have woven that dream into this song.”

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, February 7, 2025. (Photo/Chen Yichen, Xinhua)

Liang recalled seeing snow for the first time in Beijing in 1999, an experience that left a lasting impression on him. “Even though there are now many places in Chongqing where people can play in the snow, the memory of my first encounter remains vivid,” he said. “Writing the lyrics was like traveling back in time to relive that joy.”

In “Light up Asia,” he describes snowflakes as “a gift from the sky, a friend it brings.” To children in the South, snow is a rare and distant wonder, while to those in the North, it is a familiar companion, a part of life.

A song that bridges cultures and hearts

The official theme of the 2025 Asian Winter Games, “Dream of Winter, Love among Asia,” emphasizes unity and shared aspirations across the continent. From the start, Liang worked closely with the song’s composer to ensure the lyrics resonated with this theme, adjusting phrases to refine the message.

The song’s first chorus, with its powerful and uplifting melody, symbolizes hope and solidarity. The second chorus, featuring the line “Hello, my friend. Hello, Asia,” adds warmth and sincerity, reinforcing the lasting bonds between nations.

Mascots are seen during the opening ceremony of the 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, February 7, 2025. (Photo/Chen Zhenhai, Xinhua)

This year’s Asian Winter Games marks China’s most significant international winter sports event since the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. In his lyrics, Liang was determined to capture the beauty of winter sports and the spirit of friendship. “Good music can be a bridge between hearts,” he said. “I hope this song conveys both the excitement of winter sports and the warmth of Chinese hospitality.”

Bringing Chongqing to the global stage

Notably, the second chorus of “Light up Asia” features an English-language segment, expanding the song’s global reach and making it more accessible to an international audience. “A great song should transcend language and cultural barriers,” Liang emphasized. “Lyrics should be simple yet profound, touching people’s hearts with their sincerity.”

Beyond sports, Liang has long been dedicated to writing music that reflects real lives and emotions. Over the years, he has traveled across China, listening to people’s stories and drawing inspiration from their experiences. From the Beijing Winter Olympics to the Asian Winter Games, he has closely followed winter athletes and the evolving culture of ice and snow sports.

As for the future, Liang remains committed to his roots. “Chongqing is not just where I grew up—it’s an inseparable part of me and my greatest source of inspiration,” he said. “I hope to continue bringing elements of my hometown into my work, spreading love and hope through music.”

(Yang Xiao, a reporter from Chongqing Daily, contributed to this report's Chinese version.)