According to the FIS, the office will be a "headquarters to support China’s initiative to encourage 300 million people to participate in winter sports" - a pledge the country made in response to being awarded the 2022 Winter Olympics.

FIS President Johan Eliasch was among the virtual attendees at the Opening Ceremony of the facility, located in the centre of the Chinese capital.

"China is one of the most important global markets and has great potential for growth," Eliasch said.

"I am impressed by how China has made the development of snow sports a priority. 

"A country with the ambition to bring 300 million people to our sports is an amazing opportunity for our sport. 

"With the office, we are able to operate directly in China and promote the proliferation of recreational and professional snow sport in the country."

The team in Beijing will liaise directly with the members of the FIS China Working Group led by FIS Council member Moses Liang-Cheng Zheng.

Chinese Olympic Committee vice-president Ni Huizhong said FIS opening the office "shows high recognition by international winter sports federations towards the development of winter sports in China and will further enhance popularity and influence of the International Ski Federation and snow sports in China".

The FIS is headquartered in Oberhofen, Switzerland.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, the build-up to which has been dominated by human rights concerns, are due to open on February 4 and conclude on February 20.