Winter Olympics: backlash in China after popular panda mascot Bing Dwen Dwen speaks in deep male voice

Fans cried "NO!" after Bing Dwen Dwen, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic mascot, spoke in a deep male voice. The fondness took a downturn after the mascot spoke with an "Uncle voice" and a northeastern Chinese accent in a programme aired on February 8 by state broadcaster CCTV. It happened during an interview with Chinese freeskier Yang Shuorui, when the reporter costumed as Bing Dwen Dwen posed questions and eventually removed the inflated suit to reveal his face. "It's a shock comparing the image of Bing Dwen Dwen with the voice," commented one person on Weibo. "Luckily I haven't bought it yet, otherwise I really can't face it."