On March 31st, the "Treasures of Baoxing: Witnessing the Cultural Exchange Miracle between China and France" exhibition, celebrating the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France, officially opened at the National Museum of Animals, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing. The exhibition runs from March 31st to May 31st.
According to reports, the exhibition is jointly organized by the China Wildlife Conservation Association and the All-China Philatelic Federation, with guidance from the Sichuan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Beijing Municipal People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sichuan Xinhua Publishing Group, the Publicity Department of the Ya'an Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China, and the People's Government of Baoxing County. The National Museum of Animals, Xinhua Wenxuan Publishing Media Co., Ltd., the Chinese Double Treasure Culture Research Center of Chengdu University, and the Cultural, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Baoxing County are jointly hosting the event.
The Giant Panda, a National Treasure, Driving Sino-French Cultural Exchange for Over a Century
In 2024, marking the 60th anniversary of Sino-French diplomatic relations, let's rewind to 1869 when French naturalist Armand David stumbled upon a treasure trove in Baoxing County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, China. It was there he first encountered China's unique species: the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. These two national treasures were scientifically documented for the first time, a remarkable 155 years ago.
The friendship between China and France has thrived under the cultural spotlight of the giant panda. From the scientific discovery by the French naturalist in 1869 to China's first panda gift to France in 1973, and to the moment in 2017 when the First Ladies of both nations jointly named the newborn panda cub "Yuánmèng," pandas have consistently served as the "natural ambassadors" and "messengers of friendship" between China and France, fostering continuous friendly exchanges and deepening the bond between their peoples.
As "international ambassadors of friendship," pandas narrate the story of China's ecological civilization. The giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey represent China's ecological calling cards, mutually coexisting as emblematic ambassadors of Earth's ecological civilization. They carry the traditional genes of peace, friendship, and harmony inherent in Chinese culture, along with the philosophical concept of "harmonious coexistence." They are indeed messengers spreading friendship worldwide.
The exhibition, with the academic support of experts from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, not only tells the stories of the discovery and conservation of giant pandas and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys but also showcases the cultural and artistic achievements of the "Chinese Double Treasures" by Xue Kang, a scholar and photographer, who has devoted years to researching, creating, and accumulating works on the Double Treasures culture.
Through exhibition units such as "The Origin of Double Treasures," "Ambassadors of Friendship," and "Blooming Double Treasures," a rich array of exhibits vividly portrays the significant role of giant pandas and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys as "ambassadors of friendship," promoting international cultural exchange. It also highlights the achievements in biodiversity conservation and ecological civilization behind the Double Treasures culture, as well as the concept of green development. The exhibition vividly narrates the deep friendship between China and France forged through the "Double Treasures," China's cultural tradition of valuing harmony, and further promotes cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and France, strengthening the foundation of friendship between the two countries and contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
"The reason they're called the 'Chinese Double Treasures' is that both the giant panda and the golden snub-nosed monkey are first-class protected wild animals in China and flagship species of biodiversity. Through cultural and artistic exhibitions, we aim to introduce the 'Chinese Double Treasures' to the world, arousing more public concern, attention, and love for rare animals represented by giant pandas and golden snub-nosed monkeys, thus better protecting our ecological environment and promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature," said Xue Kang, Vice President of the China National Philatelic Federation and Director of the China Double Treasures Culture Research Center at Chengdu University, in an interview with China Science Daily.
The Double Treasures Traceability Action aims to expand the natural education research routes of national parks
National parks are the best places for natural education, and natural education is an important means for national park construction to achieve shared benefits for all. Since the establishment of national parks, the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has actively fulfilled its science popularization function, continuously exploring innovative natural education projects related to national parks, and organizing series of scientific expeditions and study activities such as the "Rediscovering the Scientific Discoveries of Giant Pandas."
"Over the years, many scientists at our institute have conducted a lot of scientific research, which allows people to have a deeper and more profound understanding of wildlife and ecosystems, as well as their relationship with human health. Through exhibitions and popular science, the public can get to know giant pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, and their associated species up close, thereby helping us better understand nature and ecology," said Zhang Jinshuo, Deputy Director and Researcher of the National Museum of Animals of the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, in an interview with China Science Daily.
At the opening ceremony of the exhibition, the National Park Natural Education Program "Double Treasures Traceability Action" was officially launched. The program aims to unite various sectors of society, including animal protection, natural education, cultural and artistic institutions, to conduct natural education, outdoor scientific research, and cultural creativity activities. It will take participants to the "hometown" of giant pandas and Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys in Baoxing County, Ya'an City, Sichuan Province, to trace the scientific discoveries of the Double Treasures. The initiative calls on and leads the whole society to pay attention, support, and participate in the ecological civilization construction of natural protected areas under the umbrella of the Double Treasures, contributing to the joint construction of a global community of life.
(The above images are all provided by the organizers.)
