China's International Ice and Snow festival in Harbin could be under threat from global warming, it has been revealed.
The 24th annual event, which takes place in the northern city of Harbin in the province of Heilongjiang bordering Russia, has been marred by warnings from scientists that its famous ice sculpture displays could be under threat from climate change.
But this is not the first time the ice sculptures have felt the heat, according to yin Xuemian, senor meteorologist at the Heilongjiang Observatory.
"In the beginning of December 2002, ice lanterns in Harbin melted right after they were sculpted. What came out of the work was sweaty ice sculptures," he told Reuters.
But reports seem to indicate things could be worse this year, with the average annual temperatures for the region hitting a record breaking high of 6.6 degrees C.
By comparison, the city of Harbin has been known to reach temperatures of -35 degrees C.
Traditionally, sculptures of animals, people and famous buildings - often on massive scale - are carved from huge blocks of ice and then illuminated with colored lights once completed.
This year's event has an Olympic theme to mark Beijing's hosting of the Olympic Games later this year.
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