Meet Xiyangyang and Lerongrong – the bubbly mascots stealing hearts across the Greater Bay Area! 🐬 Designed by Liu Pingyun, these characters are more than cute faces: They’re inspired by the endangered Chinese white dolphins swimming beneath the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. Liu tells us, "They symbolize homecoming and unity, like threads weaving our coastal communities together."
Science Meets Survival
Sun Yat-sen University researcher Zheng Ruiqiang has tracked these dolphins for years, watching their numbers dip. "Every sighting feels like a shared breath with the ocean," he says. His team’s work highlights why the mascots matter: They’re rallying symbols for marine conservation, especially as the Pearl River Estuary faces ecological pressures.
More Than a Mascot Moment
From National Games stages to eco-campaigns, Xiyangyang and Lerongrong now leap beyond sports – reminding Gen Z that cultural pride and environmental action swim together. 🌏💡 As Liu puts it: "Protecting them isn’t just science; it’s about safeguarding stories written in waves."
