Bear necessities: mascot winning fans across nations

Rongbao of Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games becomes latest panda culture craze

After Bing Dwen Dwen, the cuddly panda mascot of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, took the world by storm, Rongbao, the panda mascot of the 31st Summer World University Games in Chengdu, Sichuan province, has captured the global spotlight.

Organized by the International University Sports Federation, the Games are the world's largest event for university athletes and the second-largest global multisport event after the Olympic Games. Staged every two years, the WUG feature summer and winter competitions and were the starting point of many athletics legends such as sprinter Michael Johnson; basketball player Larry Bird; gymnast Vitaly Shcherbo; hurdler Liu Xiang and tennis player Li Na.

The 31st Summer World University Games in Chengdu will be held from June 26 to July 7. Athletes will compete in 269 medal events across 15 compulsory and three optional sports. They are athletics; diving; archery; basketball; volleyball; swimming; water polo; badminton; rhythmic gymnastics; artistic gymnastics; fencing; judo; table tennis; taekwondo; tennis; martial arts; rowing and shooting.

According to local officials, it will be the first time that a city in western China is to host a world-class multisport event. Chengdu is expected to become the third WUG city after Beijing and Shenzhen on the Chinese mainland.

"Sichuan is the hometown of giant pandas. Rongbao is China's ambassador of friendship," said Zou Jin, director of the Sichuan Education Department and deputy secretary-general of the Organizing Committee of Chengdu FISU WUG.

"The lively Rongbao conveys to the world youthful vim and vigor. The city of pandas is ready to welcome university athletes from all over the world and carry forward friendship among young generations."

The archetype of Rongbao is a giant panda nicknamed Zhi Ma, which means sesame, who lives in the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. During a global contest in August 2020, Zhi Ma stood out from fierce competition to become the real Rongbao.

The panda got his nickname because of a black dot besides his nose, just like a sesame seed. He is a good tree climber and will be 5 years old on April 24. His duty is to help expand Chengdu's international influence, said a local official.

Speaking of the design of Rongbao, the ears, eyes and tail of Rongbao are flame-shaped, and in his hands is a torch. These fire elements are embedded in Chengdu's culture. According to local officials, they indicate the spicy cuisine of Chengdu like hotpot and Sichuan Opera's amazing stunt of fire-spitting, as well as the passionate characteristics of Chengdu people.

The facial structure of Rongbao takes inspiration from the masks used in Sichuan Opera, an innovation of the historic intangible cultural heritage.

On March 18, 100 days before the Games begin, Rongbao-themed Giant Panda Stamp Book was released to the public. The online store selling official WUG-branded merchandise was launched on Tmall, Alibaba's e-commerce platform, that same day.

The Giant Panda Stamp Book was edited by Xue Kang, vice-president of the All-China Philatelic Federation and honorary dean of the School of Fine Arts and Design of the China-ASEAN Academy of Arts, Chengdu University.

"I hope to make more people at home and abroad learn about Chinese giant pandas. During the Games, the stamp collection will be seen all over the Chengdu Universiade Village and attract the world's attention," Xue said.

To make Rongbao a part of people's daily lives, the Organizing Committee of Chengdu FISU WUG has developed, designed and produced a large number of Rongbaothemed products. These span seven categories: toys; home and living; fashion; accessories; stationery; intelligent electronic devices and sports. Those categories are expanding and products will be available soon, said a staff member.

Inside the Chengdu Universiade Village, a culture exhibition will be held during the Games. Visitors can enjoy Sichuan Opera, Shu embroidery, acupuncture and massage, Chinese calligraphy and traditional Chinese costumes. A raft of digital products will be on-site, such as a shipping container-sized mini gym equipped with intelligent fitness facilities, a station where visitors can take a photo with virtual giant pandas, and sports games using virtual reality technology.

Moreover, the committee will organize a trip for student athletes to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding to see cubs up close.