Lyu Yansong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, said giant pandas are China's national treasure and a shared wealth of all humanity. He noted that the Global Panda Partners Conference is striving to become an important bond for gathering global wisdom and jointly protecting the planet, while continuously expanding the circle of friends of "panda partners."

　　According to Li Yunqing, deputy head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the captive population of giant pandas in China has reached 830, while the genetic diversity of the population continues to improve.

　　Noting that this year marks the 30th anniversary of international scientific research cooperation on giant pandas, the official said that China has cooperated with 26 institutions in 20 countries, resulting in 69 giant pandas living overseas and 73 cubs successfully bred, while the species has drawn over 1 billion visits worldwide.

　　Shahbaz Khan, director of the UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, said the giant panda inspires affection across languages and generations, and protecting this remarkable animal means caring for the living systems that sustain many other species and support human well-being.

　　China's establishment of the Giant Panda National Park in 2021 has provided an important framework for conservation across the provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu. Work to restore habitats, reconnect ecological corridors and strengthen coordinated management offers valuable experience in protecting ecosystems across administrative boundaries, he noted.

　　"UNESCO looks forward to continued dialogue with Chinese and international partners on safeguarding natural heritage," the director said.