Adorable video footage has shown a heartwarming scene of giant panda families gathering and sitting together for mealtime, as they enjoy feasting on their bamboo banquet.
The giant pandas are seen seated together as they happily munch on their beloved bamboo and bamboo shoots, with the video clips showing scenes of panda mothers with their respective twin cubs, who were all born in the summer of 2023. There doesn't appear to be too much dinner conversation taking place, however, as the pandas appear far too busy chewing away on their favorite food.
Filmed at the bases of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in southwest China's Sichuan Province, the footage was released last week by the iPanda multimedia platform established by China Central Television (CCTV).
The CCRCGP is a world-leading institution dedicated to the breeding and conservation of one of China's national treasures, the giant panda.
The center has established a global platform for promoting international cooperation and exchanges involving 18 zoos from 16 countries and regions, 39 domestic animal breeding institutions, and over 10 scientific research institutes.
Giant panda families gather to share happy mealtime with bamboo banquet
The Chinese Embassy in the United States on Saturday hosted a China-U.S. Youth Spring Festival Gala, bringing together more than 500 young people to celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year with a series of cultural activities.
The event in Washington, D.C., brought together young people from both the U.S. and China and featured a whole host of traditional performances and Chinese customs to mark the upcoming Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival, which this year lands on Feb 17, ushering in the Year of the Horse.
Attendees were able to explore the items on display at stalls set up in the style of a classic temple fair, try their hand at paper-cutting, admire the works of the age-old Suzhou embroidery technique, or even take part in a game of the traditional Touhu, or pitch-pot, an archery-like activity involving throwing arrows into a pot.
Chinese ambassador to the United States Xie Feng also invited U.S. students to join him in making glutinous rice balls, or Tang Yuan, a specialty served up during the Spring Festival period which symbolizes family reunions.
The gathering also invited American teachers and students who had previously visited or studied in China to share their experiences and stories from their travels in the country.
Among those present was William, a student who attended the Cascade Elementary School in Orem, Utah. He shared how he and his classmates received a reply letter from Chinese President Xi Jinping after they had sent New Year greetings to Xi several years ago.
William said this unexpected reply from the Chinese president has greatly inspired him and enhanced his commitment to fostering more communication with Chinese students.
"Receiving that reply from him, it made me realize and want to work with Chinese people more and make that connection even stronger," said William.
The event also saw promotional reels being played for a media project dubbed "China Travel with Chinese Films" as well as a preview for the China Media Group's 2026 Spring Festival Gala -- an hours-long variety show broadcast on Chinese New Year's Eve each year -- further immersing audience members and attendees in the festive spirit.
Chinese embassy in US hosts youth Spring Festival gala
