Zoo animals enjoy special treats on Mid-Autumn Festival

Zoo animals in southwest China have enjoyed their special treats made for celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival -- customized mooncakes.

In the Chongqing Yongchuan Wildlife Park, gorilla Yu Hui was seen feasting on a mooncake made of nuts including pistachios and almonds. After receiving the treat made into the shape of a mooncake from its breeder, Yu Hui quickly took it to a shady spot to savor it.

Four giant pandas, arrived at the zoo earlier this year from the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, have also been treated a "mooncake feast."

"We've prepared special mooncakes for animals made of more than 10 vegetables and fruits, such as carrots, apples, bananas and watermelons," said Zhang Lu, giant panda breeder.

The Yunnan Wild Animal Park in Kunming City also made individually-designed mooncakes for various animals, including ring-tailed lemurs and raccoons, using ingredients tailored to their diets, such as tomatoes, peanuts and steamed corn bread. Even peacocks flew down from hills to enjoy their specially prepared treats.

The Mid-autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month on the Chinese lunar calendar when the moon is full, and Chinese people believe a full moon is a symbol of reunion, harmony, and happiness. Mooncake is a traditional Chinese bakery in shape of a round moon eaten during the festival.

Chinese State Councilor Shen Yiqin attended a reception celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia at the Russian embassy in Beijing on Tuesday.

Shen, also the Chinese chairman of the China-Russia Committee on Humanities Cooperation, said that under the guidance of the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, China is willing to work with Russia to take the opportunity of celebrating the 75th anniversary of China-Russia diplomatic ties and the China-Russia Years of Culture to deepen cooperation in various fields and create more benefits for both peoples.

Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov said Russia stands ready to further deepen its traditional friendship with China and push for greater development of Russia-China relations.