Helongjiang tops medal tally before National Games officially opens

Thanks to the unique medal counting system, Helongjiang Province tops the medal standings before the 12th Chinese National Games officially opens on Saturday.

The northeasternmost province, known for its winter sports prowess, is leading the quadrennial games' table with 43 medals, including 17 golds.

According to the medal counting system, the medals taken in the latest summer and winter Olympic Games (London 2012 and Vancouver 2010) as well as the 12th National Winter Games held in Changchun in 2012 are included in the forthcoming Chinese National Games. Following are the rules (gold, silver and bronze are dealt with in the same manner)：

An individual Olympic gold medal is equal to two national games golds.

Each winner of an Olympic doubles or team gold is awarded one national games gold.

Breaking one world record at the summer or winter Olympics is equal to one national games gold.

An individual, doubles or team gold at National Winter Games is equal to one national games gold.

Furthermore, in a bid to boost the "three big ball games" - soccer, basketball and volleyball, the top three teams of the three events at the national games will be awarded three, two, one gold medals respectively. The fourth to sixth finishers will be awarded three, two, one silver medals respectively. The seventh to ninth placers will get three, two, one bronze medals respectively.

As to Heilongjiang's 17 golds, nine are from Vancouver 2010, five from Changchun 2012, two from London 2012, one from the walking race which has concluded before the Games' official open.

On the current standings, the People Liberation Army team ranks second with Shandong in third place.

Host Liaoning, expected to top the final medal count, is ninth.