The logo for the 2016 G20 Summit (Photo/g20.org)
With the G20 Summit in Hangzhou just a few days away, the specially designed logo is appearing on an almost daily basis in the media, on stamps and souvenirs - anything connected to the major event. [Special coverage]
Featuring the image of a bridge, with a traditional Chinese seal, the logo has been praised for its symbolism and beauty.
When he starting thinking about the design of a logo for the G20 Summit last May, Yuan Youmin, the lead designer wanted something that that would represent both Hangzhou and China.
Yuan eventually found inspiration in the words of the 13th century Italian traveler Marco Polo, who praised Hangzhou as a city with a thousand bridges.
So his team included the design of a bridge, composed of 20 lines, into the logo. And under the bridge, there is a circle formed by the arch of the bridge and its reflection underneath.
Yuan says the bridge symbolises the connection of people and places in many different ways, just as the G20 brings East and West together in dialogue; and the circle implies a process of integration and unity.
The designer also stresses that the design is in keeping with the symmetrical harmony of Chinese aesthetics.
"Over the water, there are bridges, and the bridge reflections can be seen in the water. The reflections are inseparable with the virtual-real relation, which accords with our understanding to Chinese 'Yin' and 'Yang'. So I think it's our tradition."
Apart from the bridge, the logo bears a red seal of the characters of "China".
Yuan said it not represents a symbol of culture, but also carries the meaning of promises, as seals represent contractual relationships.
"In Chinese eyes, the seal actually represents individual credit. When I affix the seal, it's the irrefutable proof. So the seal represents China's promise to the world and the responsibility of a big power."
After the release of the logo on December 1, 2015, the design team spent another three months compiling a set of handbooks detailing the way the logo should be used on different objects and occasions.
"Many residents from Hangzhou are proud of this logo. We're delighted to see it. Showing off our homeland to the world is what we want to do."
A set of commemorative stamps, bearing the logo and the renowned West Lake of Hangzhou, were issued by China Post on Saturday. All 20,000 stamps had sold out within hours of the release.
