Xing Bao (星宝, the Star Baby), the newly designed mascot for the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition (Airshow China), made its debut on Oct 30, while cultural creative products featuring Xing Bao, such as stuffed toys, models, badges, as well as key chains, were also released that day. 

Xing Bao is a round panda, with its shape representing the earth and the concept of building a community with a shared future for mankind. Its colors of blue and white stand for the blue sky and white clouds of Zhuhai, reflecting the image as a "city of youth and vitality."

Liu Pingyun, vice-president of the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts' School of Visual Communication & Media Design and main designer of Xing Bao, noted that Xing Bao's design took more than six months to complete, with rounds of discussions and selections being carried out.

A model of Xing Bao, the mascot of Airshow China [Photo by Cheng Lin / Guanhai App]

Sun Jiefeng, president of Zhuhai Airshow Co, said that the cooperation with the design group from GAFA in creating Xing Bao has been vital to the upgrading of the Airshow China brand. He expressed hope that the new mascot can make contributions to the development of China's aerospace and defense industry, as well as the cultural industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

In addition, the first-ever cultural creative shop of Airshow China will be set up, selling around 300 kinds of cultural creative products, including model airplanes, commemorative badges, and stamp albums.

The 14th Airshow China will take place both online and on-site at the Zhuhai International Air Show Center in Jinwan from Nov 8 to 13. Preparations of its on-site venues are being accelerated and are expected to be completed by Nov 6.

More than 740 enterprises from 43 countries have confirmed their attendance, occupying the 100,000-sqm (25-acre) indoor exhibition area.

A total of 110 aircrafts will be showcased during the event, while nearly 200 meetings and forums will be held, which are expected to explore the latest development trends of the global aerospace industry.