China's 13th National Winter Games logo, mascot, theme unveiled

A clearer picture of China's 13th National Winter Games, to be held in Xinjiang in 2016, was presented as its logo, mascot and theme was unveiled on a press conference here on Friday.

Accrding to Li Guangming, head of Xinjiang Sports Administration, a total of 1,523 art works have been submitted over the past two years. Through several procedures, including web user poll and expert evaluation, the final decision has been made.

The 2016 edition of this quadrennial event takes "Winter elegance on Silk Road" as its logo. Using five "Olympic" colors, namely red, yellow, blue, green and black, on Chinese calligraphic word "winter", the organizing committee wants the logo to display as many features as it can about Xinjiang. The number "13", representing the 13th edition, is also implicit in the logo.

The mascot are two lovely "Snow Lotus Babies", one in red and the other in blue and white. The snow lotus on their heads express a good wish for Xinjiang's prosperity and people's well being.

The theme of the Games is set on "Together in beautiful Xinjiang, sharing a splendid Winter Games".

According to Li, venue construction is running smoothly, with snow venues already concluded, while the ice part to be due at the end of this November.

The 13th National Winter Games is scheduled from Jan. 20-31, 2016.