Sleepy giant panda cub resists keeper's wake-up call

A young panda is seen stubbornly refusing to wake up for the day in adorable recently released footage captured at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

The archive footage, taken during the cubhood of giant panda Cheng Shi -- now nine years old -- has only now been released to the public, allowing the world to experience the relatable moment when the cub's keeper gently coaxes him out a deep slumber. Unmoved by the encouragement, the young bear remains softly lying on the ground.

Even after the keeper managed to get Cheng Shi to sit upright, the sleepy cub lay flat on the ground once again just moments later. Cheng Shi is a male panda that was born at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding on August 19, 2016. He earned the nickname of "Little Gray" due to his unusually light-colored fur at birth -- a distinctive trait that faded as he matured.

The Chengdu base is a world-renowned center for the ex-situ conservation of giant pandas. It also serves as a hub for scientific research, public education and ecotourism. The institution is internationally recognized for its efforts to protect and breed giant pandas, red pandas and other endangered wildlife species native to China.

The Chinese military has continued to conduct combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters of and airspace over the Huangyan Dao as well as the surrounding areas in the South China Sea since the beginning of December, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command said Wednesday.

The PLA Southern Theater Command said it has deployed naval and air forces troops to reinforce patrols and vigilance, further strengthening control and management over the relevant areas.

The move has effectively addressed various infringement and provocations, with an aim to safeguard China's sovereignty and security while maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea, according to the PLA Southern Theater Command.