The mascot will serve as an ambassador for winter sports, bringing joy to those who participate in and watch the Olympics. Bing Dwen Dwen wears a full-body “shell” made out of ice, which resembles an astronaut suit — a tribute to embracing new technologies for a future with infinite possibilities. The shell also helps the panda to skate, snowboard and ski alongside the Olympic athletes.

The bright colors of the halo around its face are a representation of the latest advanced technologies of the ice and snow sport tracks at the Games, while the heart on its left palm symbolises China’s hospitality for athletes and spectators at the Winter Olympics.

Created by Cao Xue, the design for Bing Dwen Dwen was chosen from more than 5,800 submissions from China and 35 countries around the world as part of a global competition arranged by the Beijing 2022 Organising Committee. The designs were reviewed by Chinese and international experts, with the final selections made by teams from the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts and Jilin University of the Arts. The selection of an animated panda for Beijing 2022’s official mascot is not too surprising, as the giant panda is the national animal of China.