Hainan Expo mascots pay tribute to the island's rainforest protection

The fifth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) kicked off on Sunday in Haikou, the capital of South China's Hainan Province.

This year's event again features its beloved mascots "Yuanyuan" and "Xiaoxiao," inspired by the critically endangered Hainan gibbons. Donning new "outfits" every year, the mascots now appear as members of a tropical rainforest conservation research team. Their look pays tribute to Hainan's ongoing efforts and achievements in rainforest protection, reflecting the province's commitment to building a greener future.

Endemic to Hainan Island, the Hainan gibbons are listed as "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They reproduce slowly, with a new generation born only every two to three years, making them a key indicator species of the rainforest's integrity – biodiversity, habitat quality, climate regulation, etc. – and authenticity.

Once on the brink of extinction, with just seven to nine individuals left in the late 1970s, the species has steadily recovered. A comprehensive survey in 2003 identified only two groups totaling 13 individuals. In 2005, a dedicated Hainan gibbon monitoring team was established.

Years of conservation and monitoring have yielded remarkable results. Data in 2024 shows that the Hainan gibbon population has grown to 42 individuals across seven family groups. With continued protection and no major disturbances, the population is projected to double, reaching 60 to 70 individuals by 2035.