"From what I have seen, I can say that it is a great choice. The mascot incorporates the best elements and characteristics of China and the Chinese people," Bach said at the ceremony.

"It will be a wonderful ambassador for China and the Olympic Games Beijing 2022," he added.

Appearing via video link, International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons said: "It's a mascot that represents a Chinese lantern, but also represents the Chinese New Year. It's a message of the future to the future generation of Chinese people who will be inspired by the amazing faith of the Paralympic athletes."

The giant panda, which will be the Olympic mascot, is often regarded as a symbol of China. Its helmet is also indicative of the snow and ice of winter sports.

The name "Bing Dwen Dwen" is a combination of several meanings in the Chinese language, with "Bing" the Chinese word for "ice", and "Dwen Dwen" meaning robust and lively.

The Paralympic mascot choice of the lantern is seen as "symbolic of harvest, warmth and light". In the name "Shuey Rhon Rhon", "Shuey" is the Chinese word for "snow" and "Rhon Rhon" has the duel meaning of tolerance and integration.

Today's launch sees the end of a submission process which began on August 8, 2018 and saw more than 5,800 design proposals from China and abroad.

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