The logo for China's first national botanical garden, officially inaugurated in Beijing on Monday, was created and designed by Han Meilin, an outstanding Chinese artist.

Han chose ginkgo and metasequoia, two unique and rare plants that best represent China, for the logo. They are thought to be the world's oldest extant tree species and are regarded as "living fossils" of the plant kingdom.

The logo uses a balanced spiral line to form the main pattern. Outside the spiral structure is a "C" shaped stroke representing China. The composition is circular, representing the earth on which we live.

The symbol reflects Han's concern for a balance of nature and his vision for building an ecological civilization. If we protect plants, we protect ourselves and other life on earth, he believes.

Han Meilin was born in 1936 in east China's Shandong Province. In the nearly 70 years of his creative career, the artist has achieved much in calligraphy, painting, ceramics, sculpture, design and other fields.

The 2008 Beijing Olympic mascots "Fuwa," the Air China emblem and animal zodiac stamps are among Han's creations that have won praise at home and abroad.

In 2015, Han was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace. In Paris, he received the citation from then Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova, making him the first Chinese artist to receive the honor.

An exhibition featuring Han Meilin's "The Sealed Book" dropped the curtains in March at Beijing's Palace Museum.

Han has researched and recorded tens of thousands of ancient characters and symbols from bones, stone carvings, rock paintings, ancient pottery, bronze and other cultural relics that are part of "The Sealed Book" exhibit.

Han is skilled at absorbing essence from traditional Chinese culture and uniquely integrating realism, exaggeration, freehand brushwork, and other artistic techniques.

The image of "Fuwa" at the Beijing Olympics still resonates deeply with Chinese. With their rich and bright colors and simple and refined line construction, the mascots are the embodiment of traditional culture.

In 2018, Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee, awarded Han the Pierre de Coubertin Medal for his contributions and achievements in promoting the Olympic spirit through art.

Now in his 80s, he continues to expand the "width" of his art field and the "thickness" of his artistic inheritance as he focuses on education at Tsinghua University. His hard work and perseverance inspire younger generations.