In the shimmering waters of the Greater Bay Area, the Chinese white dolphin glides like a soft flash of light beneath the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. Known for its gentle leaps and luminous presence, this ocean spirit has become the living inspiration behind Xiyangyang and Lerongrong, two mascots that are capturing hearts across the region.
Designer Liu Pingyun explains that the dolphin’s journey from sea to stage wasn’t chosen by chance. Liu says that it embodies homecoming and unity, noting how the species traces its path through shared waterways linking Hong Kong, Zhuhai and Macao. Xiyangyang and Lerongrong carry this deep cultural rhythm of the sea, reminding us that our connections run as deep as the ocean itself.
Marine biologist Zheng Ruiqiang of Sun Yat-sen University has spent years studying these dolphins as their numbers quietly decline. Every leap, every breath they take strengthens his resolve to balance development with the fragile beauty of marine life in the Pearl River Estuary.
From the estuary to the National Games stage, the dolphin transforms from local icon to global ambassador. Xiyangyang and Lerongrong aren’t just mascots—they’re a promise to safeguard ocean life and spark conversations about conservation, community and culture.
As young global citizens, we can carry this story forward. Whether cheering at major events, exploring new coastlines or designing the next wave of cultural symbols, we share a responsibility to protect our blue planet. Let these mascots remind us that every splash, every smile, can make a lasting impact.
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Tracing the ocean heart of the mascots 'Xiyangyang' and 'Lerongrong'
cgtn.com
