The Beijing 2008 Olympic Mascots are unveiled at the Worker's Stadium in Beijing.

   (Beijing, November 11, 2005) -- The Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are unveiled today at a gala show in the Chinese capital.

   The spectacular show was held to mark the 1,000-day countdown to the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.

   At around 8 pm, senior Chinese leader Jia Qinglin was invited to unveil the mascots. When Jia, Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, pressed a button, five colourful laser beams projected the silhouettes of the mascots on a giant screen set on the centre stage. Meanwhile, five huge inflated cartoon figures in the forms of the mascots walked to the front stage, amidst melodic music and standing ovation from the audience.

   The Mascots consists of five figures, officially named Fuwa. They include Beibei the Fish, Jingjing the Panda, Huanhuan the Olympic Flame, Yingying the Tibetan Antelope, and Nini the Swallow. The first characters of their rhythmic two-syllable names form a line that reads "Beijing Huanying Ni," or in English "Welcome to Beijing."

   The colour of each mascot was chosen in line with the colours of the Olympic Rings.

   "The Mascots are a special gift that Beijing presents to the world and to the Olympic Movement," Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), spoke to an audience of 4,000 in the Worker's Indoor Stadium.

   "The Mascots, together with the official Emblem and Slogan of the Beijing Olympic Games, express Chinese people's wishes for peace, friendship, progress and harmony," Liu said.

   Fuwa have distinctive Chinese characters, Liu noted. They represent not only the multi-ethnic cultures of China, but also the traditional Chinese philosophy of harmony between human body and natural environment.

   Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), sent a congratulatory letter to BOCOG, expressing his satisfaction with and love of the Mascots. Rogge's message was read to the nationally-televised evening show.

   "China is lucky to have so many beautiful animals to represent the Olympic spirit...I love them all...I believe that this little group of friends -- the fish, the panda, the flame, the antelope and the swallow -- will be extremely popular and will help to spread Olympic messages throughout the world," Rogge said in his letter, "You've certainly touched my heart with your choices. And I'm sure Fuwa will touch the heart of the world."

   Following the unveiling, Fuwa and other Olympic merchandise that features the images of the mascots will be available in a number of authorized outlets in Beijing and other Chinese cities, according to the Beijing Olympic organizers.

   The gala show, themed "The Olympics are Coming towards Us," features splendid and joyful artistic performances, expressing Chinese people's enthusiastic expectations for the Olympic Games that China will host for the first time on its soil.

   Top officials from the Chinese Central Government, Beijing Municipality, IOC officials, dignitaries and celebrities, and people from all walks of life as well as Beijing-based diplomats witnessed the launching of the mascots. About 100 children from China's western regions also participated in the launching ceremony as special guests of BOCOG.

   Starting on November 12, a series of cultural and sports events will be held across the capital to mark the 1,000-day countdown. Open-air cultural and sports events will be held in Beijing's 18 urban districts and suburban counties, featuring activities for mass participation.

   Beijing's co-host cities such as Qingdao (for sailing events) and Hong Kong (for equestrian events) as well as Sichuan and Qinghai provinces will also hold celebrations to mark the 1,000-day countdown.