MK socks the inspiration for the mascots of the 9th Asian Winter Games, taken on February 13, 2025 Photo: Courtesy of the Siberian Tiger Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province" src="https://www.globaltimes.cn/Portals/0/attachment/2025/2025-02-13/c13770c3-4ce1-4c22-b8b5-5dcc5c5e0c40.jpeg" />

Photo of Binbin (left) and Nini, the inspiration for the mascots of the 9th Asian Winter Games, taken on February 13, 2025 Photo: Courtesy of the Siberian Tiger Park in Harbin, Heilongjiang Province

 
The 9th Asian Winter Games in Harbin, Northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, made history as the largest edition of the event. Yet, beyond the sports spectacle, the Games have also propelled two unexpected stars into the spotlight, "Binbin" and "Nini," the official mascots inspired by Siberian tiger cubs born in September 2023 at the Siberian Tiger Park in Harbin. 

Since their selection, these tiger stars have not only captivated visitors but also sparked greater public interest in the conservation of this endangered species, highlighting the Games' broader impact beyond sports.

"The number of visitors to the park has increased since the reveal of the mascots, with many tourists specifically coming to catch a glimpse of the real-life tigers that inspired "Binbin" and "Nini," Zheng Xuefeng, deputy director of the Tourism Reception Department at the park, told the Global Times.

At the official merchandise store in the park, souvenirs based on Binbin and Nini, including plush toys, mystery boxes, and figurines, have become highly sought-after and are selling exceptionally well, reflecting visitors' affection for the two tigers, Zheng added. 

The park has made special arrangements for the two furry stars. Before the Games, collaborating with the Market Development Department of the Asian Winter Games Organizing Committee, the park organized a themed event, "Global Tiger Day - Welcome to Binbin and Nini's Home" on July 29, 2024, to mark International Tiger Day. The event marked the first-ever public debut of Binbin and Nini, allowing visitors to get up close to the real-life inspirations behind the mascots. 

Now, at just over 1 year old, the two tigers weigh over 75 kilograms each. The park has provided them with a spacious activity area, allowing them to move freely and interact better with visitors.

As to the adorable tiger mascots' names "Binbin" and "Nini," "bin" comes from the name of the city, Harbin, and "ni" shares the same pronunciation as "you" in Chinese. The two names combined convey the meaning: "Harbin welcomes you." While "Binbin" wears a red scarf and ice skates, representing ice sports, "Nini," representing snow sports, is dressed in a fur-collared red jacket and is seen snowboarding.

The facial features of the mascots were inspired by traditional folk cloth tiger toys in northern China. The decorations on their ears and foreheads draw from the visual language of Fangzheng (a county in Harbin) paper cutting, a national intangible cultural heritage. 

The pattern on their foreheads resemble the Chinese character for "king" (wangin Chinese), while the patterns on their floral jackets incorporate a snowflake motif. Additionally, the gloves feature lilac flowers, which is Harbin's city flower.

Chen Lei, a scholar from the Academy of Arts and Design at Tsinghua University and head of the mascots and emblem design team for the Games, told the Global Times that during the initial creation phase for the mascots, the team also considered other representative animals and creative figures from Heilongjiang Province, such as red-crowned cranes, swans, ice block dolls, and lilac dolls. However, the Siberian tiger were always the top choice for the design theme.  

"The Siberian tiger symbolizes strength, courage, and vitality, which aligns perfectly with the competitive spirit of winter sports, including speed, power, and resilience. The Siberian tiger is both majestic and awe-inspiring, yet also adorable and lively," Chen added.  

In the folk culture of the northeastern region of China, the tiger is often seen as a symbol of warding off evil and bringing good fortune. Choosing the Siberian tiger as the mascot not only carried forward cultural traditions but also expressed best wishes for the Games, he added.  

The Siberian tiger is a globally endangered large feline species, classified as a National First-Class Protected Animal in China. Primarily found in the three provinces of Northeast China, it is also one of the few remaining wild tiger species in the country. Due to habitat destruction and illegal poaching, the Siberian tiger population once declined drastically. 

Data shows that by the late 20th century, there were only around 10 wild Siberian tigers left in China.

Thanks to a series of conservation measures, including the establishment of nature reserves, enforcement of hunting bans, and strengthened public awareness efforts, the Siberian tiger population has shown signs of recovery. By the end of 2024, the number of wild Siberian tigers living stably within the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, a park established in 2021 in Northeast China's Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, had reached around 70.

"I believe that all our designs will not come to an end with the conclusion of the Asian Winter Games. Instead, they will become a legacy and continue to play their rightful role in Harbin's future development," said Chen.  

By choosing the Siberian tiger as the inspiration for the mascots, the Games can leverage the animal's international influence to raise public awareness of wildlife conservation and ecological balance while promoting the concept of sustainable development, Chen added.