'Lively, fun and witty', chubby mascot is star at Beijing 2022

A chubby panda wearing an ice shell, the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics mascot Bing Dwen Dwen has become the breakout star of the Games, winning the hearts of athletes, politicians, the media and sports fans across the globe.

Bing Dwen Dwen soft toys have become so popular that President Xi Jinping has offered Prince of Monaco Albert II a pair of the mascots as gifts.

On Saturday, the prince received a figurine of Bing Dwen Dwen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, and asked if he could have a second one because he has twins, according to a China Central Television report.