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

An Iranian delegation led by Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi arrived in Pakistan on Friday night to discuss regional developments and ongoing peace efforts, a spokesman for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Tahir Andrabi, the spokesman, said in a social media post that Araghchi is scheduled to meet Pakistan's leadership to exchange views on the evolving regional situation and efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability.

Upon arrival, the Iranian foreign minister was received by Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Defense Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, along with other senior officials.

Araghchi currently has no negotiation plans with U.S. representatives, but will convey messages to the U.S. side through Pakistani mediators, according to Iranian sources on Friday.

However, the White House said Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner are heading to Pakistan for talks with Araghchi this weekend.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance, who led the U.S. negotiating team during the first round of talks in Pakistan earlier this month, is not currently planning to attend the upcoming talks, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, adding he will be standing by and consulting Trump alongside Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Earlier in the day, Araghchi said in a social media post that he was embarking on a regional tour that includes stops in Islamabad, Muscat and Moscow. Araghchi emphasized that the purpose of the visit is to closely coordinate with partners on bilateral affairs and to consult on the regional situation. He also noted that Iran's neighbors are a priority for Iran.

Iranian delegation led by FM arrives in Pakistan