On April 1st, representatives from the International Department of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (National Park Administration) of China, the Giant Panda National Park Administration, the European and International Relations Department of the French Biodiversity Agency, and the Pyrenees National Park jointly unveiled the plaque for the paired cooperation between the Chinese Giant Panda National Park and the French Pyrenees National Park in Wolong, Sichuan. On April 1st, the unveiling ceremony of the pairing cooperation between China's Giant Panda National Park and France's Pyrenees National Park took place. According to Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Yawen, this is the first national park pairing cooperation between China and France, and the establishment of this partnership is of great significance. The Giant Panda National Park was officially established in 2021 and is one of the first five national parks officially established in China. It covers a total area of 21978 square kilometers and spans across three provinces: Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu. There are 1340 wild giant pandas distributed in the national park, accounting for about 72% of the total number of wild giant pandas in China; The habitat area is 15000 square kilometers, accounting for 58.5% of the total habitat area of giant pandas in China. The national park is rich in wildlife and plant resources, with 870 species of vertebrates and 7127 species of higher plants, making it a global hotspot for biodiversity. On April 1st, two red pandas at the Wolong Shenshuping Base of the China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center were playing in the snow. At the event, Xiang Kewen, Director of the Giant Panda National Park Administration, stated that the Pyrenees National Park, as a model of ecological protection in Europe, is renowned worldwide for its unique mountainous ecosystem and management wisdom of "harmonious coexistence between humans and nature". We believe that the two national parks, working together, will propose innovative solutions for cross regional ecological governance. The French Pyrenees National Park was established in 1967 and covers a vast area, stretching 100 kilometers along the border between France and Spain, spanning six valleys, two provinces, and two regions. This national park is rich in biological types, with about 2500 species of higher plants and over 4000 animals, including 250 species of vertebrates and more than 100 species of plants unique to the Pyrenees Mountains. It is the third national park established in France. Cyril Barnerias, Director of the European and International Relations Department at the French Biodiversity Agency, stated that the pairing and cooperation between the two national parks is beneficial for both parties to focus on biodiversity conservation, strengthen their understanding and management of large mammals, manage tourism and excessive tourism, and encourage local residents to participate and protect their interests. China and France signed a letter of intent in Beijing to pair China's Giant Panda National Park with France's Pyrenees National Park. It is reported that on March 31st, the French delegation also visited the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, and the two sides signed a letter of intent to pair China's Giant Panda National Park with France's Pyrenees National Park in Beijing. (New Society)