Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Chengdu, November 25 (Xinhua) — "Pandas, as a living bridge, open the door to closer cooperation between Russia and China in the fields of ecology, education, culture, and business, creating a solid foundation for a long-term strategic partnership," said Svetlana Akulova, Director General of the Moscow Zoo, on the sidelines of the recent Global Panda Partners 2025 conference in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan Province.
In April 2019, to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, the China Protection and Research Center for Giant Pandas in Sichuan Province donated giant pandas named Ruyi and Dingding to the Moscow Zoo. They immediately became favorites of local visitors. In August 2023, the bears gave birth to a cub named Katyusha. She became the first giant panda cub born in Russia.
Speaking at the conference's panel "Expanding Pandas' Influence: Scientific Education and Cultural Interaction," S. Akulova shared stories of Russia and China's fruitful collaboration in protecting giant pandas and fostering cultural exchanges through them. She also described the experience and methods of keeping, breeding, and training giant pandas in Russia's natural environment.
"The Moscow Zoo's efforts to strengthen cultural exchanges with China are not sporadic, but rather systemic and strategic," noted S. Akulova.
She recalled that in 2024, a Moscow Zoo delegation actively participated in the 8th China-Russia Expo and the 4th China-Russia Forum on Interregional Cooperation in Harbin. During these events, the Moscow Zoo presented successful conservation projects for endangered species, such as the Amur tiger and the Far Eastern leopard, and also presented a report on developing cooperation with China on the giant panda conservation program initiated in 2019.
"In 2025, this work reached a new level thanks to the conclusion of new agreements, the holding of major festivals, the installation of symbolic monuments of friendship, and direct visits at the highest level," concluded S. Akulova, highlighting the most significant events and initiatives for cultural exchange with China in 2025.
According to her, this year a "friendship tree" was erected with representatives of China and the FESCO transport group, the Moscow Zoo's partner in the giant panda conservation and research program. Together with staff from the Chinese Embassy in Russia, the Moscow Zoo held festive events to mark Chinese holidays, organized festivals and exhibitions of Chinese paintings, and produced documentaries about pandas. The "Fauna of China" pavilion was transformed into an educational center with lectures on the culture and nature of China. Furthermore, the Beijing and Shanghai Zoos have expressed interest in the new strategic project of the Global Alliance of Zoological Institutions (GOZU), whose creation in 2025 was personally initiated by S. Akulova.
"In summary, the Moscow Zoo has transformed from an animal shelter into a powerful educational center and a platform for public diplomacy and cultural engagement, making an invaluable contribution to deepening Russian-Chinese relations," concluded S. Akulova.
She expressed hope for further deepening cooperation with Chinese colleagues in the research and reproduction of giant pandas, as well as in the areas of protecting other animal species and environmental protection.
As a reminder, the Global Panda Partners 2025 conference in Chengdu brought together over 600 participants from more than 30 countries and regions, including zoo directors and representatives from Russia, France, Germany, Belgium, Indonesia, and other countries. They engaged in an in-depth exchange of views on strengthening global environmental conservation and green development, as well as expanding international humanitarian and cultural cooperation, particularly through giant pandas, which have already become a popular cultural symbol.
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