China and Switzerland will jointly hold a skiing competition from December to February, with three matches held in Beijing and the final held in Switzerland.

The China Legs will include three competitions: two Qiaobo Indoor Games on December 10 and December 17, and a game on December 25 in Miyun, a suburban area of Beijing. The final competition will be held on Titlis Mountain in Switzerland on February 3, during the traditional Chinese New Year.

More than 3 million people in China take part in skiing every year, and the number has been increasing by 30 percent annually, making China a big target market for world's skiing resort nations.

Skiing originated in Switzerland and gained popularity in the past 100 years. As Chinese people have begun to travel more recently, skiing has also become an important choice for their winter holiday, said Roger Zbinden, Asian regional director of Switzerland Tourism.

Skiing has thrived recently in China. However, the market still needs more fostering.

"To enhance mutual exchanges with other nations will promote China's skiing development," said Zhang Wenjia, chief representative of Switzerland Tourism in China.

(Xinhua News Agency December 6, 2005)