Shanghai World Expo mascot unveiled

SHANGHAI, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Shanghai unveiled its mascot for the 2010 World Expo on Tuesday evening, 865 days before the six-month event kicks off.

The mascot, named Haibao, literally means "treasure of the world". The blue smiling cartoon figure has curly hair and is in the shape of Chinese character REN, or human beings. It was presented during a televised ceremony at the Shanghai Grand Stage in front of an audience of more than 9,000.

"Haibao is a jolly, confident and cute kid," said Shao Longtu, 62, CEO of the Jiumuchuansheng advertising company and head of the mascot design team. "Using a human being as a mascot reflects the spirit of human-orientation, while the color blue stands for water, sea, the Earth, life, dreams, the future and technology."

The mascot was selected from among 26,655 entries from 21 countries and regions.

In addition, the emblem for the expo resembles the Chinese character SHI, or world. "The mascot is a perfect match for the emblem. It also deepens the expo theme 'Better city, better life'," Shao said.

Shanghai started soliciting designs for the mascot in January.

A Japanese design expert surnamed Tanaka noted it should be "hard to discern its prototype but with amiability".

The mascots for last expo held in Aichi, Japan, in 2005 were two forest elves -- the knowledgeable grandpa Morizo and his curious grandson Kiccoro.

The expo, which runs from May 1 to October 31, 2010, is expected to draw 70 million visitors, or an average of 400,000 daily.