Shanghai Wild Animal Park held birthday celebrations on Saturday for eight-year-old giant pandas Xue Bao and Qian Jin, and six-year-old Kang Kang.
The celebrations featured birthday cakes and decorations for the cute animals, attracting a lot of visitors at the zoo.
Zookeepers said they had spent two weeks preparing the special cakes and gifts for the three giant pandas.
"We designed the cakes, decorated the venue and prepared the gifts very carefully. Everything was meticulously tailored for them. While celebrating their birthdays, we also hope to raise public awareness of species conservation and ecological protection," said Zhu Qingpo, head of the zoo's animal management department.
China has actively protected giant pandas for decades by establishing vast protected areas like the Giant Panda National Park, restoring bamboo forests and implementing breeding programs.
The wild giant panda population has grown from approximately 1,100 in the 1980s to nearly 1,900 in 2024, largely due to successful conservation efforts.
Shanghai zoo celebrates three giant pandas' birthdays
Shanghai zoo celebrates three giant pandas' birthdays
Citizens of the Republic of Korea (ROK) have shared their views and expectations for future cooperation with China ahead of President Lee Jae Myung's state visit, which began in Beijing on Sunday.
Lee is making his first visit to China since assuming office in June 2025, with the state visit scheduled to run until Wednesday.
Street food vendor Jang Dong Il said he had high expectations for the visit, hoping it would lead to effective cooperation between the two countries and improvements in the economic environment for mutual benefit.
"More exchanges between the two countries would boost for the two economies. I am full of hope for a strong cooperation between President Lee Jae-myung and President Xi Jinping," he said.
"I have high hopes for this meeting between our countries' leaders. President Lee Jae Myung is visiting China between January 4 and January 7, to discuss economic, cultural and tourism exchanges.I understand about 200 to 300 South Korean corporate executives have traveled with him. I have high hopes for this. If this visit helps strengthen relations between two leaders,I believe it could lead to a win-win outcome and bring ROK and China closer together," Yang said.
"The leaders' meeting can spark dynamic exchanges in economy and culture. More exchanges between the two countries would boost the two economies. I am full of hope for a strong cooperation between President Lee Jae-myung and President Xi Jinping," said Noh Yun Ji, a teacher.
"The two can complement each other economically and continue to develop," said Kim Yoon Jung, a Seoul resident.
Dancer Yoon Ji Eun shared her experience of visiting Shanghai, saying that the delicious food suited her taste and that the city’s fashionable, clean urban environment left her with a positive impression of China.
"Last summer, I took a trip to Shanghai, and after seeing it for myself, I found the food was to my taste, and the city was modern and clean. So I came to see China as a captivating country," Yoon said.
"First of all, China is a very large country. And the food is delicious. I enjoy dishes like malatang and hot pot.I love Chinese food," Noh said.
The ROK citizens also expressed hope for strengthened people to people exchanges with China.
Recalling her time studying dance in China, Yoon said her experience highlighted the role of education in fostering cultural understanding.
"Although I don’t know much about this, as I mentioned, I went to Shanghai for dance lessons. It shows education can offer cultural experiences," she said.
South Koreans hope president’s first visit to China will enhance exchanges
