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The official mascots for the 2022 Asian Games – a trio of high-tech cartoon robots - were unveiled in the hosting city of Hangzhou, East China, on April 3, during an innovative online launch event highlighting both the internet prowess of the fast-growing Chinese city and key elements of its ancient local heritage.The mascots, individually named Congcong, Lianlian and Chenchen, embody the concept of “smart technology” chosen as a key feature of plans for the upcoming Asian Games, held every four years. They also symbolize three of Hangzhou’s World Heritage-listed sites: the Archeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, the West Lake, and the Grand Canal. The design by Zhang Wen and Yang Yihong, lecturers from the China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, was chosen from more than 4,000 proposals received from participants around the world.
The launch ceremony is loaded with innovation, smart technology, cultural connotation, and sense of future. After vice presidents of the Hangzhou Asian Games Organizing Committee Zhou Jiangyong and Cheng Yuechong pressed the virtual launch buttons, three laser beams were depicted flying into the skies of a future Hangzhou and transforming into the high-tech mascot trio. Singing and dancing performances also highlighted the high-tech nature of the eastern Chinese city as well as key elements of its ancient local heritage that showcase China’s natural beauty and long standing civilization.
Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah, President of the Olympic Council of Asia sent his congratulations remotely. He praised the mascots for integrating Chinese culture, the unique charms of Hangzhou as well as the spirit of the Asian Games. “The mascots will surely be liked by all, especially the youth of Asia," he said.
Chinese actors Zhou Xun (Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress) and Qu Chuxiao (The Wandering Earth) showed support for the choice of mascots. “They are clever and cute, beautiful and bright,” said Zhou Xun. “They stand for tradition, innovation and wisdom. I hope they will bring love and peace to Asia and the world.”
More about the mascots
- Congcong
The first cartoon mascot symbolizes the ancient city of Liangzhu, a site that archeologists say prove 5,000 years of continuous civilization in the region. The cong was a jade artifact whose exact purpose remains a mystery, but survives as a quintessential relic unearthed from the architectural ruins north-west of the city. This mascot is chosen to represent perseverance.
- Lianlian
This mascot represents Hangzhou’s West Lake, perhaps the city’s most famous attraction, and is named after the expanse of floating lotus leaves that have the significance in Chinese culture of purity and peace. It is hoped this concept will promote harmony with nature and a shared future for mankind.
- Chenchen
The third mascot was chosen to pay tribute to China’s Grand Canal that connects Hangzhou to Beijing and fed both the emperors and common soldiers of the great capital. It takes its name from the Gongchen Bridge, a landmark crossing of the great waterway. This was chosen to symbolize the paths that now connect China with the rest of the world.
The 19th Asian Games, also known as XIX Asiad, will be held in Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 25 in 2022. It is the third Asian Games to be hosted by China following Beijing in 1990 and Guangzhou 2010, and will take place in the same year as the Winter Olympics in Beijing.
Contact Info:
Name: Xu Xiaochuan
Email: Send Email
Organization: The 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 Organizing Committee
Phone: 0571-85259527
Website: http://www.hangzhou2022.cn
Release ID: 88952458
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