Kang Kang, the mascot for China Central Television's Spring Festival Gala, is revealed to the public, Jan 21, 2016. [Photo/Weibo of CCTV]

Mascot of 3-D design for Spring Festival Gala stirs debate

China Central Television released the mascot for its annual Spring Festival gala. The mascot, named Kangkang, which means "being healthy" in Chinese, is based on a colored ink prototype painted by artist Han Meilin.

It stands with its arms extended. Its right cheek, left arm, right leg and upper part of the tail are green, while the left cheek, right arm, left leg and tip of the tail are yellow. The center of its face and its body are red.

It has become the target of intense criticism and even ridicule among netizens, some say it is the ugliest monkey they've ever seen.

Han claims his design combines Chinese tradition with the carnival atmosphere of the gala, blending perky and childish traits with the Monkey King character.

Related: Gala mascot makes monkey's uncle of designers

Folk artists work on monkey themed arts

Folk artists are competing in showing their skills by making a variety of monkey-themed arts. From dough figurines, paper-cuts, to paintings and sculptures, different materials and different techniques, folk artists are making monkeys come alive in different art forms.

In supermarkets and shopping malls, monkey dolls and toys are a hot sale, with sales volumes continuously rising.

Related: Artists use many techniques to create New Year monkeys