A pair of Eurasian lynxes are catching the spotlight at Zhengzhou Zoo in central China's Henan Province, as the species was inspiration for the mysterious villain Pawbert in the animated blockbuster "Zootopia 2."
The lynxes, which recently made their debut in the medium-sized predator zone, have captivated visitors since their arrival. With China becoming Zootopia 2's largest box office market globally, locals in Zhengzhou have been flocking to the zoo specifically to see these majestic cats.
"I came here specifically after watching Zootopia 2. The lynxes are really cute in person, slightly larger than house cats," said a visitor.
Eurasian lynxes are the largest species within the lynx family. Each lynx at the Zhengzhou Zoo measures over 90 centimeters in length and weighs over 25 kilograms, featuring a sturdy body and long limbs.
With distinctive black tufts of hair standing on the tips of their ears, paired with gray-brown fur with spots, they look as cute as fluffy kittens and as noble as lions.
Under class-two state protection in China, wild Eurasian lynxes mainly inhabit the colder areas such as the northeast and northwest regions of the country.
Eurasian lynxes catch spotlight at Zhengzhou Zoo as inspiration for Zootopia 2 villain
Russian officials and scholars say they expect Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to China to bring new progress in ties with China, pointing to the importance of educational exchanges and the close cooperation between the two sides when it comes to global issues.
Putin arrived in Beijing late on Tuesday night to begin a two-day state visit at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This marks President Putin's 25th visit to China, with the two presidents set to exchange views on bilateral relations, cooperation in various fields, as well as international and regional issues of mutual interest, according to a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The visit comes as this year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of China-Russia strategic partnership of coordination, the 25th anniversary of the signing of the China-Russia Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation and also sees the launch of events under the China-Russia Years of Education for 2026 and 2027.
Russia’s Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov pointed to the importance of these educational exchanges between the two sides.
"We believe the designation of 2026 and 2027 as the China-Russia Years of Education is a natural progression [in our ties]. We sincerely welcome the continued deepening of such exchanges and cooperation. We also welcome the growing attention from multiples sectors towards education in Russia and China, as this is mutually beneficial and reciprocal," Falkov said in a recent interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN).
In recent years, the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for a new era has enjoyed sound, steady and in-depth development, with expanding cooperation in various fields, and the two sides have also made an important contribution to maintaining global strategic stability and upholding international fairness and justice, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday.
Vasily Kashin, director of the Center for Comprehensive European and International Studies at the HSE University in Moscow, expects the meeting between the two heads of state to further address these key issues.
"China and Russia have established a strategic partnership for 30 years. During this period, we have closely coordinated on the international stage and jointly responded to various crises and global political changes. We expect that in their talks, the leaders of the two countries will discuss issues related to the world order," he said.
Russian officials, scholars expect Putin visit to open up new chapter in relations with China
