Sun Island Panda House in north China features innovative design for giant pandas' comfort

The newly constructed Sun Island Panda House in Harbin City, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, officially opened to the public on Saturday, showcasing its innovative design tailored to meet the specific needs of giant pandas.

Visitors can now meet the eight-year-old male panda twins, Zhi Shi and Zhi Ma, who were transported from the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu.

Harbin is well-known as one of the coldest cities in China, but the Panda House was meticulously designed with the local climate in mind. It attempts to fully replicate the habitats that giant pandas enjoy in their natural environment, with considerations for temperature, humidity, wind, and light, ensuring a healthy and comfortable living space for the animals.

"The ideal temperature for giant pandas is between 7 and 20 degrees Celsius. They naturally prefer cooler temperatures, are sensitive to heat, and enjoy humidity. To keep them warm in winter, we have implemented an external insulation system for the entire building. In summer, when outdoor temperatures are high, they can return indoors, where we have created areas with adjustable temperatures of 20, 22, and 25 degrees Celsius, allowing them to choose their comfort level," said Zhao Yue, a staff member at the Harbin Sun Island Panda House.

Air circulation and ventilation are also crucial for the well-being of giant pandas, Zhao said.

The Sun Island Panda House features an advanced air system that ensures optimal ventilation and air cleanliness. The lighting in both the indoor area and enclosure replicates the natural light conditions of pandas' habitats, simulating the light spectrum and intensity of sunlight as well as moonlight. Smart controllers manage gradual brightening and dimming to avoid abrupt changes in light, which could cause stress to the pandas.

These comprehensive measures create a complete environmental control system, providing a comfortable living environment for the giant pandas in Harbin's harsh climate. The facility has been approved by experts from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA).

The introduction of the giant pandas commenced in October 2024, a collaborative effort led by the NFGA and other departments.

Sun Island Panda House in north China features innovative design for giant pandas' comfort

China's 15th Five-Year Plan proposal sends a strong signal of the country's commitment to upholding openness and cooperation, which will promote further development for the country and the world, said officials and scholars around the world.

The draft 15th Five-Year Plan, the blueprint that will guide the world's second-largest economy from 2026 to 2030, is central to steer China to move toward modernization amid technological disruption, demographic shifts and an increasingly fractured global order, according to the scholars.

"China's 15th Five-Year Plan is not a rigid model; it is more like benchmarks for growth targets and focal points. Chinese economists and economic decision-makers are not just focusing on qualitative growth, but also on innovative development. We're witnessing new transportation methods, robotics and artificial intelligence," said Andrey Denisov, first deputy chair of Russia's Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs and former Russian Ambassador to China.

"The 15th Five-Year Plan is of great importance to China's development. The country is poised to make remarkable advancements in various sectors, including artificial intelligence, high-end manufacturing and infrastructure construction. Given the shifting global context and China's transition towards high-quality development, I am confident that this plan will herald a new era for China's development," said Kamel Mansari, news director of the French-language daily Le Jeune Independent.

Scholars also noted that China's commitment to high-quality development and high-level opening-up will promote win-win results and benefit the world.

"China has emerged as a key partner for most countries worldwide, and a preferred partner due to its closeness and integration with global communities, as well as its strong humanitarian perspective. The Chinese economy has not only benefited itself; it has helped many economies worldwide flourish through its partnerships," said Dirgham Muhammad Ali, an Iraqi economic expert.

China's National People's Congress (NPC) is scheduled to open in Beijing on Wednesday, with lawmakers set to approve the 15th Five-Year Plan.

15th Five-Year Plan to guide China's development, benefit world: scholars