New giant panda base opens to public for trial operations in southwest China's Sichuan Province

The Mianyang Base of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in southwest China's Sichuan Province opened to public for trial operations on Monday, currently housing 20 giant pandas.

Located in Guloushan Ecological Park of the Mianyang Science and Technology City New Area, the base spans approximately 120 hectares and can accommodate a maximum of 22,000 visitors daily.

It features 54 specialized enclosures for giant pandas, comprising 39 near-natural enclosures, five free-range enclosures, six breeding enclosures, and four disease control and rescue enclosures. This comprehensive setup establishes a full-life cycle service system for giant pandas, covering breeding, cub rearing, adult display, as well as disease control and rescue operations.

The 20 pandas, ranging in age from sub-adults to seniors, moved into their new home in early November.

To further promote ecological diversity, the base has also built enclosures for companion species such as red pandas, golden snub-nosed monkeys, sika deer, and takins.

Situated in northern Sichuan Province, Mianyang is a key area for wild giant panda conservation. China's fourth national giant panda survey show that the region is home to 418 wild pandas. It is considered as one of the most important regions for giant panda conservation, with a large and dense wild population, strong genetic diversity and high-quality habitats.

Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, met with the European Parliament's delegation for relations with China led by chair Engin Eroglu in Beijing on Wednesday.

Li, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China is willing to work with the European Union (EU) to strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust, deepen cooperation, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

He said China stands ready to join hands with the EU to address global challenges, promote exchanges and cooperation among legislative bodies, effectively utilize communication mechanisms, and advance the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.

Eroglu said the EU stands ready to work with China to contribute to the development of EU-China relations.