International experts have hailed the significance of President Xi Jinping's state visit to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying it promotes global governance in a more just and reasonable direction, and is important in promoting world peace and development.
Xi was in the DPRK from Monday to Tuesday, when the two heads of state reached important consensus. Both agreed to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen strategic communication, expand practical cooperation, enhance people-to-people bonds, promote the high-level development of China-DPRK relations, jointly open up brighter prospects for the socialist cause of both countries, and contribute to the continuous progress of human society.
"I believe President Xi Jinping's remarks are highly significant not only for China and the DPRK, but also for the wider international community. President Xi's statement reflects a long term vision of stability, dialog and strategic trust between neighboring countries," said Ayanda Hollow, president of TV BRICS Africa.
"China has made, and already making and will make in the future a very important role because of the strength of the Chinese nation, Chinese country actually [provides] some guarantees for the peace in the world," said Bojan Lalic, director of the Institute for Belt and Road in Belgrade, Serbia.
"This is the first time in, I think seven years, that Xi Jinping has visited the DPRK, and it was a visit which was intended to expand the cooperation and friendship between the two countries. They are an important factor in promoting stability and progress in that area of Northeast Asia," said Kimball Cariou, member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Canada.
International experts hail significance of Xi's DPRK visit
Indonesia's first locally born baby panda Rio has attracted crowds of people to the Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI) in Bogor, south of Jakarta, since he was officially introduced to the public late last month, with visitors excited to catch a glimpse of the safari's most famous resident.
Rio was born on Nov 27 last year, weighing just 200 grams, but has since developed into a healthy 11 kilogram male as he made his public debut on May 30.
The cub was conceived by Chinese-loaned pandas Cai Tao and Hu Chun, and is Indonesia's first giant panda bred in captivity.
Many Indonesians used to have to travel all the way to China if they wanted to see a baby panda. Now, they are delighted to have a beloved bear right at home.
"I am grateful that Taman Safari Indonesia has been given the opportunity to build good bilateral relations between Indonesia and China. This is an activity that I think has a direct impact not only on people who love pandas, but can also be a learning medium, including for students who today come in large numbers. I am very happy because finally Taman Safari has been able to breed a panda after three failed trials. So, it's all just very touching," said Dr. Missie Gustini, a visitor.
Rio lives in a lavish structure called the Panda Palace along with his parents, who arrived from China in 2017 in an act of "panda diplomacy" which aimed to mark 60 years of ties between Indonesia and China.
Rio is taken as a shortened version of his full name, Satrio Wiratama, which means 'brave' and 'noble warrior'. The team at the safari say this name was chosen to symbolize the conservation partnership between Indonesia and China.
"The main message is about conservation. I think conservation doesn't see countries, doesn't see boundaries. When you talk about conservation, a Chinese animal, we can do conservation in Indonesia. Indonesian animals, you can do conservation in Europe. So, if you're an expert in Europe, you're an expert in Africa, you can contribute to conservation for the whole world. I think having this baby Rio is just, what do you call it, it's kind of opened up the possibilities for conservation efforts all over the world, for all of the species, especially the endangered species all over the world," said Aswin Sumampao, president director of the Taman Safari.
Indonesian-born giant panda cub enjoys popularity after meeting public
