The Giant Panda is an Effective Medium to Faithfully Tell the Sichuan Story  

“The unique strengths of Sichuan’s ‘favorable climate conditions, geographic advantages, and the unity of the people’ makes it possible for Sichuanesepeople to explorethe topic ofgiant pandas deeply.” Though he hasbeen to Sichuan many times, in order to attend the first Golden Panda Awards, Wu Zhong, Secretary-General of the China-Europe Economic and Cultural Exchange Association, is excited to be in Sichuanonceagain. “The Golden Panda Awardsis not simply a series of awardsbut also a golden key that unlocks cultural exchangeswith the world, as well asan important window through whichthe world can learn more about Sichuan.”said Wu Zhong.

“I greatly appreciate the organizers’ hosting this international cultural exchange event ‘in the name of giant pandas’.”continued Wu Zhong. There is a Chinese idiom that translates to ‘fame follows merit’. However, regarding the Golden Panda Awards, Wu Zhong deemed that the Awards’‘fame’is one step ahead and thus can be described as ‘meritfollows fame’.

From Wu Zhong’s perspective, the Chinese giant panda has exceeded the scope of rare animal protection and sharing, and has expanded its role to become a notable symbol of communication and cultural exchanges between China and other countries all over the world. After travelling widely and living in France for several years, he has come to truly believe the giant panda has been an“ambassador for peace” between China and Europe.

Not long ago, Brigitte Macron, the first lady of France, came to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport specially tobid farewell to thegiant panda “Yuanmeng” who would go back to China. Since “Yuanmeng” was the first giant panda born in France, Brigitte found it bittersweet to say goodbye to “Yuanmeng”.

In Wu Zhong’s view, although the Golden Panda Awards took film and television as its chosen medium, the organizersalso did well toadopt some unique ideasin addition, focusing on the giant panda as a “protagonist” in all activities’ themes, which would significantly strengthen people-to-people bonds and facilitate cultural exchanges between China and Europe.

“I always carry the mission of cultural exchange every time I come to Sichuan.”said Wu Zhong, who has been to Sichuan more than ten times now. He said that being invited to the Golden Panda Awards, which have become a cultural exchange program by Sichuanese people of the new era, makes him feel that he was almost Sichuanese himself, and so had the responsibility to tell the Sichuan story well.

In Wu Zhong’s opinion, the giant panda is one of the prominent bridges for deepening exchanges between Sichuan and the rest of China, as well as Europe.

“Species diversity exploration and ecological environment protectionarethe trendsof global sustainable development. When it comes to these aspects, China happens to have successful experiences in endangered giant pandas’captive breeding and returning to wild, which are worth promoting to Europe.

Wu Zhong stated that many French people are deeply attracted by cute giant pandas. Nevertheless, their understandingof the affection for giant pandas in China and Europe, as well as China’s efforts in giant panda conservation and species diversity, stillremains limited. Wu Zhong told us that since the year of 2024 marks the 60thanniversary of diplomatic relations between China and France, there will be activities such as Giant Panda Picture Exhibition and Documentary Image Exhibition held by Sichuan. “Thegiantpanda is an effective medium to faithfully tell the Sichuan story,”said Wu Zhong. He also shared with us that he would tell the Europeans a more abundant and more modern ‘panda story’of China and Europe via the China-Europe Economic and Cultural Exchange Association.