The first winter sports talent reserve center in North China's Shanxi province was established at Taiyuan No 53 Middle School, which is famous for its teaching of the sport of bocce, a renowned Italian bowling game, similar to bowls and boules, in Shanxi's capital of Taiyuan city on May 29.

According to the cooperation framework agreement signed between Shanxi Ice-snow Sports Management Center and Taiyuan No 53 Middle School on the same day, the two sides will cooperate in developing high-level sports teams for the sports of curling and bocce.

They will strengthen their training of winter sports talent, develop the winter sports center and promote ice and snow sports in schools. 

Moving forwards, the Shanxi Sport Bureau will improve communications and coordination with education departments at all levels, officials said.

It will consolidate and expand the scope of cooperation, to promote the growth of winter sports growth in the province, said Cheng Zhongping, an official of the bureau.