China unveiled the mascot for its 11th National Games in Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong Province Tuesday evening, just 362 days away from the events opening.

The mascot for China's 11th National Games is unveiled in Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong Province Tuesday evening, October 14, 2008, just 362 days away from the events opening. [Xinhua]

The mascot, named Taishan Boy, or Taishan Tongzi in pinyin, was a cartoon figure of rocks of China's Mount Taishan, which carried the best wishes for peace and prosperity for Chinese nation.

The mascot, dressed in a red shirt and white shorts with the emblem of the 11th National Games printed on, was in a gesture of running with his thumb up.

Liu Peng, Minister of the State General Administration of Sport, unveiled the mascot at the studio hall of Shandong TV Station.

Taishan Boy was selected out of 464 pieces of art works collected from all over China since Shandong launched a campaign for the mascot, according to the organizing committee of the 11th National Games.

"We transformed the rocks of Mount Taishan into a cartoon figure and the personified rocks will definitely bring fortune and health for Chinese people," said Xiao Wenjin, one of the main designers from Shandong University of Art and Design.

"It is a good idea to absorb inspiration from Mount Taishan, the sacred mountain worshipped by the Chinese along China's history," said an audience at the studio hall.

The slogan of the games, which stresses to build a harmonious country and calls its entire people to participate in sports, was also issued along with the mascot.

Shandong has been sparing no effort to prepare for the coming games. The four main stadiums in Jinan are scheduled to be completed by the end of this year and the renovation work for the other stadiums is also going smoothly.

China's 11th National Games will open in Jinan on Oct. 11, 2009.

(Xinhua News Agency October 15, 2008)