Giant pandas arrive in Guangzhou for upcoming 15th National Games

Two giant pandas, You You and Jiu Jiu, arrived in south China's Guangzhou on Tuesday to join preparations for China's 15th National Games, adding a playful spark to the upcoming multi-city sporting event.

The Games will be jointly hosted by Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao from November 9 to 21, followed by the 12th National Paralympic Games and the 9th National Special Olympics about two weeks later.

As part of the festive buildup, the pandas were transferred from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province and settled into their new home at Guangzhou Zoological Garden by noon, accompanied by keepers and veterinarians throughout the journey.

You You and Jiu Jiu are male twin pandas, born at Zoo Aquarium de Madrid in Spain on Sept 6, 2021. They returned to Chengdu in March 2024 before making their way to Guangzhou.

With the arrival of the two pandas, Guangzhou Zoological Garden now has four giant pandas, with the other two being Xing Yi and Ya Yi.

The zoo has prepared comfortable new homes for the twin pandas. Once they've settled into their surroundings, You You and Jiu Jiu will officially be introduced to the public.

Guangzhou is planning a series of events centered around the two giant pandas and the National Games, aiming to showcase the charm of pandas and bring joy to local residents.

Giant pandas arrive in Guangzhou for upcoming 15th National Games

The multilateral system is "under attack" amid global turmoil, President of the 80th UN General Assembly Annalena Baerbock warned in her remarks on Wednesday.

In her briefing on the priorities for the resumed 80th Session of the General Assembly, the UNGA president noted that the current multilateral system does not collapse all in a sudden, but "crumbles piece by piece" in divisions, compromises, and lack of political commitment.

The president called all the UN member states to defend the UN Charter and international law and promote cross-regional cooperation.

She also urged to push forward the work of the UNGA on certain critical issues with a strong majority, rather than an absolute consensus among all member states. Such act is not a failure of multilateralism, but "an affirmation of it," she said.

The foundational principles of the institution should not be eroded by appeasement, she said, calling the member states to show courage, leadership, and responsibility at the UN's "critical make-or-break moment."

"The UN needs you. Your support, your leadership, your principle, stand, your cross-regional cooperation, if we are to preserve and modernize this institution, if we are to make it, rather than break it," she said.

UNGA President warns global multilateral system "under attack"