China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment released the ecological, environmental protection mascots on June 5, World Environment Day, during an event in Beijing, as a part of the country's move to further improve the environment.

The pair of cartoon figures named "Xiaoshan" (hill) and "Xiaoshui" (water) incorporate the design elements of "green leaves, flowers, cloud patterns, water patterns" to express the concept that "green mountains and clear water are valuable assets."

The design of mascots have been solicited from more than 2,400 designs collected since November 29, 2019, and went through online voting and experts' review before determined. They will be used free of charge by all eco-environmental protection public welfare activities held across the country.

The event also announced "the 100 most beautiful eco-environmental protection volunteers in 2020" and "the top ten public participation cases in 2020," and invited He Kebin, professor at the School of Environment of Tsinghua University, and others as this year's ecological environment observers.

(Cover image: China's ecological, environmental protection mascots "Xiaoshan" (hill) and "Xiaoshui" (water). /Ministry of Ecology and Environment)