China has announced a new chapter in its global conservation efforts, forging partnerships with Austria and the United States to promote giant panda conservation and enhance biodiversity worldwide.
On Wednesday, the China Wildlife Conservation Association revealed it had signed an agreement with Austria’s Schönbrunn Zoo, initiating a new decade-long cooperation focusing on giant panda conservation. This partnership marks over 20 years of collaboration between the two nations, contributing significantly to research and the well-being of these treasured animals.
Simultaneously, a pair of giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, embarked on their journey to the San Diego Zoo in the United States on Thursday morning. This move signifies the beginning of a new round of China-U.S. cooperation in giant panda conservation, strengthening ties and fostering mutual understanding between the two countries.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted the importance of these initiatives during a daily press briefing, emphasizing that the longstanding cooperation has been fruitful and has deepened the affection between the Chinese people and the rest of the world. “Our new partnerships will contribute to the health and well-being of giant pandas and enhance our capacity to protect them and other endangered species,” she stated.
Mao also mentioned that a new pair of giant pandas would be selected from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda to continue the conservation efforts in Austria, as the current residents, Yuan Yuan and Yang Yang, are set to return to China later this year.
To ensure the health and safety of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao during their journey to the United States, China and the U.S. have made comprehensive preparations, adhering to stringent requirements and technical standards for giant panda conservation. Chinese experts will stay in the U.S. for about three months to assist the pandas as they adjust to their new environment.
The public will have various opportunities to follow the lives of these giant pandas in their new homes, fostering a global appreciation for wildlife conservation and the importance of protecting endangered species.
These new conservation collaborations not only aim to protect the iconic giant panda but also to bolster global biodiversity and strengthen international friendships through shared environmental stewardship.
Reference(s):
Latest giant panda conservation cooperation to boost global diversity
cgtn.com
