CICG holds panda-themed event, commemorates 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic ties

An event to commemorate the 60th anniversary of China-France diplomatic relations and the 155th anniversary of the scientific discovery of giant pandas was held in Ya'an city, western China's Sichuan province.

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at a giant panda-themed event in Ya'an, Sichuan province, on April 22, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Yu Yunquan, vice president of China International Communications Group (CICG), attended the event and delivered a speech.

Yu said that, as a symbol of peace and friendship, giant pandas act as a vital cultural bridge between China and other countries and embody the deep bonds shared among people.

He said that giant pandas also serve as a link of youth engagement, and encouraged the exploration of innovative ideas to further boost the friendship between Chinese and foreign young people. As an international communication institution, CICG aims to foster closer ties and friendly exchanges among people from both China and other countries through this event, Yu added.

Erik Solheim, former U.N. under-secretary-general and environment executive director, speaks at a giant panda-themed event via video link on April 22, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

Erik Solheim, former U.N. under-secretary-general and environment executive director, delivered a speech via video link. He said that strengthening international exchanges is essential for the collective protection of wildlife.

France and China have collaborated extensively and pragmatically in the breeding and conservation of giant pandas, achieving significant successes, Solheim said. Through exchanges among France, China, and other countries across the world, faster and more substantial progress in wildlife conservation efforts can be made, he said.

Moreover, during a giant panda-themed cultural salon Monday afternoon, 14 international youth representatives from 10 countries including France, Germany, the U.K., Italy, and the U.S. engaged in exchanges with Chinese scholars on topics such as giant panda conservation and cultural communication.

Youth representatives plant trees during a giant panda-themed event in Ya'an, Sichuan province, on April 22, 2024. [Photo/CICG]

The youth representatives also collectively signed an initiative for giant panda conservation and planted an "International Youth Forest," calling on more international peers to protect giant pandas and contribute to global biodiversity.