China will send a new panda couple to Spain next week.
The China Wildlife Conservation Association said Wednesday that giant pandas Jin Xi and Zhu Yu will embark on their journey to Spain on April 29 from the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu in Sichuan Province. They will start their 10-year residency at a zoo in Spain's capital, Madrid.
Currently, the pandas are in good health condition and undergoing quarantine procedures, according to the association.
The couple come from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. Jin Xi, the male, was born on Sept 1, 2020, while the female, Zhu Yu, was born on Oct 25, 2020.
The base has prepared special air transport cages to ensure the giant pandas can move, feed and rest freely, while a sufficient amount of fresh Sichuan local bamboo and bamboo shoots will be available for them to eat.
The previous pair returned nearly two months ago after living in Spain for more than a decade.
China and Spain have for several years worked together to promote giant panda protection, with six cubs successfully born and bred thanks to these joint efforts. Various cultural activities have also been held to raise giant panda awareness, including the giant panda culture week.
China to send new panda couple to Spain next week
As the 2024 Paris Olympics draws closer in July, 27 Chinese volunteers were selected among students from 14 French Alliance partner universities in China for the sports event after two rounds of selection, including an interview and assessment of their ability in event organization,
Two of them are Chen Penghan and Liu Jinyu, students at Beijing Language and Culture University. They were selected first and foremost because of their enthusiasm and passion.
"Because I majored in translation, I want to give all of my strengths and my language ability. In addition, I am also a veteran sports fan, often playing badminton, basketball and table tennis. I am very passionate about sports and I want to put my effort and enthusiasm into it, to make contributions to the Olympic Games," said Chen.
The Olympics have always been inextricably linked with youth and the two volunteers from Beijing have their own understanding of the Olympics.
"Regarding the Games, I would like to quote Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympic Games: 'The most important thing in the Olympics is not to win, but to take part'. We will work with volunteers from all over the world, young and old, to come together and contribute to the Olympics, which I think is a very meaningful thing," said Chen.
"In particular, I note that the 2024 Paris Olympics will be the most equal in terms of gender, as it will be the first time in history that the number of female athletes will reach 50 percent. For me, or for all of us, this is a very, very inspiring thing," added Liu Jinyu, another Paris Olympics volunteer.
The Paris Olympic Games are scheduled to take place from July 26 to Aug. 11, with the Paralympic Games from Aug. 28 to Sept. 8.
The Paris 2024 Organizing Committee revealed they have received over 300,000 volunteer applications and recruited 45,000 helpers to serve for the Games.
2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and France. The Paris 2024 Volunteers program showcases the fruitful cooperation between the two countries in the fields of sports and education.
Twenty-seven Chinese volunteers selected for Paris 2024 Games
