Another Panda Phenomenon in France! The Sino-French Cultural Exchange Event “Forum Panda” Commences in France

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-France diplomatic relations. On October 22nd, local time, the Sino-French Cultural Exchange Event “Forum Panda” commenced in Paris. Prominent guests from various fields, including French politics, business, ecological and environmental protection, media, film and television, and cultural tourism, participated in discussions on shared topics of interest for the two countries, such as green development, mutual learning of civilizations, and media exchanges. On the same day, the French “Panda Parlor”, the Sichuan International Communication Center’s Paris Branch, was officially launched.

The event was directed by the Information Office of the People’s Government of Sichuan Province, hosted by the Sichuan Daily Press Group in collaboration with the Foundation Prospective & Innovation, organized by the Sichuan International Communication Center (SICC), and supported by the Europe-Asia Center. Notable attendees included Irina Bokova, Senior Adviser to the Board of Directors of the Europe-Asia Center and Former Director-General of UNESCO, Emmanuelle Pérès, General Manager of Foundation Prospective & Innovation, Aurélien Taché, Member of the French National Assembly, and other dignitaries who delivered speeches.

Guests paused to appreciate the photography exhibition of “Accompanying Animals and Plants of Pandas”

At the event, quiet a many guests paused to appreciate the photography exhibition of “Accompanying Animals and Plants of Pandas”, which showcased pandas and their neighbors through the lenses of Sichuan and French photographers. Among these animals and plants, Sichuan golden monkeys, hailed as “One of China’s Double Treasures, Sichuan’s Ambassadors” alongside pandas, and dove trees, known as the “Living Fossil in the Plant Kingdom”, captured the guests’ attention and provided them with a more vivid understanding of Sichuan’s rich biodiversity.

Pandas symbolize happiness and are living a serene life within its natural habitat, which interprets the successes of ecological protection. “The first document I signed after becoming Director-General of UNESCO was about recognizing Chengdu as the ‘Food Capital of Asia,’” shared Irina Bokova, Senior Adviser to the Board of Directors of the Europe-Asia Center and Former Director-General of UNESCO, in her speech, highlighting her strong connection to Sichuan. She noted that Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries were included in the “World Heritage List” not only for the iconic pandas but also for the subtropical jungles and over 3,000 rare animal and plant species in Sichuan, showcasing the unique biodiversity. “We are glad to see that pandas’ status has downgraded from endangered to vulnerable. Currently, we focus on both their return to their natural habitats and their relationships and reproduction.” Media representatives from pandas’ hometown also shared positive updates. Sichuan’s bond with France dates back many years. 155 years ago, the Frenchman Armand David scientifically discovered pandas in Sichuan’s Baoxing. Today, with the establishment of the Giant Panda National Park, Baoxing County has phased out its traditional industries to ensure that pandas’ living environment better aligns with their development.

Irina Bokova, Senior Adviser to the Board of Directors of the Europe-Asia Center and Former Director-General of UNESCO, delivered a speech at the event

“I noticed that Sichuan has made significant contributions to biodiversity preservation and environmental protection by focusing on these issues,” remarked Aurélien Taché, Member of the French National Assembly, after listening to the inspiring speeches from several guests. He expressed his confidence in France’s ability to achieve its 2030 biodiversity conservation goals and anticipated enhanced cooperation and exchanges between China and France in culture, climate, and other fields.

Aurélien Taché, Member of the French National Assembly, gave a speech at the event

Pandas are both messengers of friendship and a testament to the bond between the people of China and the world. Jérôme Pouille, Founder of the Giant Panda Information Website and Global Giant Panda Guardian, shared his touching stories about pandas and China. “In 1997, when I first saw pandas at a zoo, I heard scientists refer to them as an endangered species. This made me wonder why such adorable animals were facing this situation. Afterwards, I traveled to China multiple times to observe and study pandas.” Pouille recounted his journey from being an ordinary but sincere “panda fan” to establishing a globally recognized panda-themed science popularization website after conducting research on them. He also had the opportunity to participate in the feralization and release of pandas and experienced significant improvements in their living environment in China. During this process, Pouille has formed friendships with many Chinese panda experts and rangers, and said that China feels like his second home.

Jérôme Pouille, Founder of the Giant Panda Information Website and Global Giant Panda Guardian, shared his stories at the event

“Besides biodiversity, there are more fields for cooperation between China and France,” said Emmanuelle Pérès, General Manager of Foundation Prospective & Innovation, during her speech. She recalled how former French Prime Minister Raffarin once led a delegation of French entrepreneurs, including several young entrepreneurs that were around thirties, to Sichuan. Pérès hoped that young French would travel to China to personally witness the country’s achievements in urban sustainable development, and also expressed her desire for more young Chinese to visit France, fostering greater cooperation between the two nations.

Emmanuelle Pérès, General Manager of Foundation Prospective & Innovation, made a speech at the event

At the event, alongside the charmingly naive black-and-white pandas, a “golden panda” also captured the guests’ attention. “I wish the Golden Panda Awards can achieve the same international recognition as the Golden Lion Award,” remarked Zhong Cheng, President of Nouvelles D’Europe. He noted that this was his first experience at a forum named after animals, which has proved that pandas have become a cultural symbol. Zhong hoped that through the Forum Panda, the global “circle of friends” for the Golden Panda Awards can be expanded, so that pandas are able to be included as the world’s “thirteenth zodiac”. He addressed the importance of using culture, film, and television as media to achieve a global common consensus.

Zhong Cheng, President of Nouvelles D’Europe, delivered a speech at the event

Additionally, pandas will also foster deeper Sino-French connections. During the event, Chen Lan, Chairman of Sichuan Daily Press Group, and Yao Xiaojing, General Manager of CTS Voyages, jointly unveiled the French “Panda Parlor” (the SICC’s Paris Branch). Looking ahead, the two sides will initiate a series of collaborations centered around cultural exchanges and economic and trade cooperation, aiming at enabling Sichuan elements, represented by pandas, to shine brightly on the European stage.

To effectively establish an international channel collaboration network, the SICC collaborated with Kwai to launch its São Paulo Branch: Brazilian “Panda Parlor”, at the end of June 2024. Additionally, on October 22nd, the SICC’s Paris Branch: French “Panda Parlor” was officially established. Plans are also underway to set up the German “Panda Parlor”.

Some more information: As a leading media outlet from the hometown of pandas, Sichuan Daily Press Group currently has a total circulation of approximately 1.6 million and over 340 million new media users. The SICC was officially established in March 2022 and outlined in the “14th Five-year Plan” of Sichuan Province. Constructed and operated by Sichuan Daily Press Group, the SICC is a provincial-level professional international communication institution receiving significant support from Sichuan Province. Its prominent video platform for international communication: “Inspiration” focuses on multiple aspects for international publicity including the ancient Shu culture, Sichuan Cuisine, animation and online games, Chinese brands and Traditional Chinese Medicine, among others. Since the platform’s launch in June 2023, it has garnered over 11 million overseas fans for its cooperative accounts.