Hai Bao (海宝, “sea treasure”) is the official mascot of next year’s Shanghai World Expo. He also bears a highly suspicious resemblance to Gumby.

Exhibit A.

Hai Bao (left) and his clay forefather, Gumby

Doubtful origins aside, though, Hai Bao is everywhere. Really. In fact I’m starting to believe he is everything. Soon you will not be able to buy anything in Shanghai unless it is blue, asymetrical and has two egg-shaped eyes and a maniacal grin (for I have come to see Hai Bao’s expression as maniacal after watching the Hai Bao cartoon where he runs down a purse snatcher with a rapier). Early on in my stay in Shanghai I decided to take photos of every piece of Hai Bao merchandise or topiary I came across, though increasingly this proved redundant (my camera’s memory card also ran out of free space). Here in no particular order, however, are some of the choicier pieces of evidence substantiaing my theory that the world will end in in a giant blue crush of…blueness? (what is the guy made of?)

Hai Bao Statues

Caption on the back: "...Hai Bao is created in the image of humanity and expresses our capacity to create wonderful lives and enjoy the fruits of our work."

Hai Bao Propaganda Murals

Hai Bao Gold Plated Keyrings

Bootleg Hai Bao Plush Toys

Singing Hai Baos

Hai Bao Floral Arrangements

Hawaiian Hai Bao Bibs

And I don’t dare to wonder what’s next.