Tourists, especially young students, have enjoyed flocking to a research center in the Meihua Mountain in east China's Fujian Province to observe up close South China tigers, one of the world's most endangered animals.
The Meihua Mountain South China Tiger Breeding Research Center in Longyan City, Fujian Province, has been open to the public since its establishment in 1998. In recent years, it has developed a series of ecotourism attractions.
Known as the home of the South China tiger, Meihua Mountains boasts a forest coverage rate of 95.4 percent, with its pristine ecosystem serving as a "living laboratory" for children's outdoor education of natural science during holidays.
"Since its founding, our research center has been open to the public. Now we receive up to 150,000 arrivals annually," said Lin Kaixiong, center director.
Visitors can safely take a close look at South China tigers of different ages through viewing corridors at a pavilion not far from the breeding base of the center.
"We usually see tigers on the internet, social media, or TV. But seeing them in person -- their presence is truly powerful," said a tourist.
The center has introduced a special nighttime observation program for tourists to see the tigers' nocturnal habits.
It has also established the South China Tiger Museum, an interactive educational exhibition featuring real specimens, skeletal models, naked-eye 3D projections, and touchscreen displays to help visitors better understand the species' ecological traits and habitat.
Multiple primary and secondary school students across China have developed a deeper awareness of ecological conservation through firsthand observations of South China tigers in nature immersion programs.
No wild South China tiger has been spotted in China since the 1990s. The species, also known as the Chinese tiger, is unique to China and is much rarer than giant pandas.
Tourists enjoy observing endangered South China Tigers in Fujian's lab museum
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that Iran has obtained extensive documents and evidence linking the recent unrest across the country to the U.S. and Israel, noting that Mossad agents attempted to direct such "terrorist acts."
Araghchi said at a press conference in Tehran that since Dec 28, 2025, Iran had seen peaceful demonstrations organized by industry associations and economic professional. In the following days, more participants joined, and the situation gradually escalated from peaceful rallies into violent clashes.
Beginning on Jan 8, terrorists and armed groups carrying weapons entered protest sites and opened fire on police and civilians, with the aim of steering demonstrations toward violence, bloodshed and chaos, he said.
"Israeli media reports are rife with claims that Israel has designed and conducted operations in Iran. Mr. [Mike] Pompeo, who was Trump's CIA director, said on his X that 'Happy New Year to every Iranian in the streets. Also to every Mossad agent walking beside them.' This clearly shows that Mossad agents attempted to direct such terrorist acts," the minister said. Addressing military threats from the U.S. and Israel, Araghchi said Iran does not seek war but is fully prepared to face up to war. He added that Iran is ready for serious and pragmatic negotiations with the U.S., but the talks must be based on fairness, equality and mutual respect, rather than unilateral pressure or directives from Washington.
On the same day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the U.S. and Israel at a regular press briefing in Tehran. He said the two countries have made "extensive interventionist remarks" regarding Iran's situation, saying such statements are intended to foment chaos, violence and instability.
The spokesman said Iran is closely monitoring the development of the situation and remains fully prepared, warning that Iran's armed forces will respond to any act of aggression by its enemies.
Mossad agents attempt to direct terrorist acts: Iranian FM
