Celebration of the giant pandas “Baodi” and “Baomei” 3rd birthday
On August 6, 2022, the Embassy of China in Belgium and Pairi Daiza jointly held the “Joy of a Thousand Days” giant panda “Baodi” and “Baomei” 3rd birthday celebration. Ambassador Cao Zhongming and his wife Yang Qing, Mr. Leclercq, Governor of Hainaut Province, Dong Bo, Chairman of Pairi Daiza Zoo, Liu Hongge, Cultural Counselor of the Embassy, and more than 100 Chinese and Belgian guests and children attended the ceremony. The China Cultural Center in Brussels organized and hosted activities such as the giant pandas creative painting experience for kids. The Sino-Belgian String Quartet played “Birthday Song” and “Jasmine” for “Baodi” and “Baomei”, and played classic Chinese and European songs for the guests. Add color to the “birthday”.
In his speech, Ambassador Cao Zhongming expressed his gratitude to Pairi Daiza Zoo for its protection and care of giant pandas over the years and for its strong support for this event. Ambassador Cao sent a message to the Chinese and Belgian children present, hoping that they will become little messengers of friendly cooperation between China and Belgium, contribute to the development of China-Belgium relations when they grow up, and jointly create a better future for China and Belgium.
Mr. Leclercq, Governor of Hainaut Province, spoke highly of China’s outstanding achievements in the protection of animals and plants, and hoped that China and Belgium will continue to work together in biodiversity protection to jointly contribute to the promotion of human well-being.
Dong Bo, chairman of Pairi Daiza Zoo, said in his speech that the original intention of Pairi Daiza Zoo to build the Chinese Garden and facilitate the entry of giant pandas stemmed from the love for Chinese culture and natural ecology. Taking the opportunity of celebrating the thousand-day joy of “Baodi” and “Baomei”, he wishes that the friendship between China and Belgium will continue to develop.
Afterwards, Pairi Daiza Zoo presented the special birthday cakes for “Baodi” and “Baomei”. Chinese and Belgian musicians played “Birthday Song” together to express their blessings, and the atmosphere reached a climax.
During the event, Ambassador Cao Zhongming, Governor Leclerc and Chairman Dong Bo went to the “China Garden” to water the Magnolia tree, which was planted by the Chinese and Belgian heads of state and their couple in 2014, symbolizing the friendship between China and Belgium.
Chinese and foreign guests also watched the “Panda Home, Comfortable Sichuan” and “China (Sichuan) Giant Panda Cultural Tourism Week” photo exhibition.
The Department of Culture and Tourism of Sichuan Province provided hand-painted models of panda workshops. The China Cultural Center in Brussels organized special activities such as Chinese cultural experience. Chinese and Belgian children have carefully drawn the cute panda images in their hearts, and shared the charm of Chinese culture. The Center also prepared Chinese special snacks and Chinese cultural and creative products for children. The guests and “fans” of big and red pandas spent a happy and unforgettable time together with “Baodi” and “Baomei”. The Chinese-Belgian String Quartet played well-known Chinese and European music such as “Jasmine”, “Acacia River” and “Blue Danube” immersing the public in a beautiful atmosphere of friendship.
The parent of little Audrey said with emotion: “Since the arrival of giant pandas in Belgium, we have used every opportunity to witness their growth, and our family happily welcomes the arrival of every new life. The birthday of the three-year-old panda twins was the first time we saw live Chinese paintings, and we were amazed by the speed of Mr. Zhang’s paintings. It’s a good idea to let the kids paint pandas, so they can participate in birthday activities at their own level and in their own way. The birthday celebration was a success!”
Gabriel enjoyed the happy process of hand-painting giant pandas and is very happy: “This is my first time attending the birthday of giant pandas. It is very interesting to watch them rush to eat the cake. Only one giant panda ate the panda cake. When a giant panda comes to eat, it will use its “hand” to stop the other. I guess it must be “Baodi” who ate all the cakes. I really like the creative painting panda activity, I am very happy!”
[Some pictures are provided by Liu Jun, reporter of Guangming Daily]
