On November 26, the Global Panda Partners 2024 conference kicked off in Chengdu with the theme of "Harmonious Coexistence Between Man and Nature". Wang Xiaohui, Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of Sichuan Provincial People's Congress, attended the opening ceremony. Fu Hua, President of Xinhua News Agency; Shi Xiaolin, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee and Governor of the People's Government of Sichuan Province; and Guan Zhi'ou, Head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration (National Park Administration) each delivered speeches. Irina Bokova, former Director-General of UNESCO and Senior Advisor to the Board of the Europe–Asia Center, delivered a speech. Shahbaz Khan, Representative to UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia, and Beate Trankmann, UNDP Resident Representative in China, each delivered video addresses.

Fu Hua stated in his speech that China's successful conservation efforts for the giant pandas in the new era exemplify the country's practices in ecological civilization under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. The Global Panda Partners 2024 conference is precisely a beneficial exploration that uses pandas as a medium to promote eco-environmental protection and enhance international exchange and cooperation. In the future, Xinhua News Agency will enhance its coverage and theoretical interpretation of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization, effectively highlight China's accomplishments and experiences in promoting ecological conservation, closely follow up and record advancements in giant panda conservation in regions like Sichuan, intensify research on environmental topics of international interest through its think tanks, and offer comprehensive services including economic information. By organizing events such as the Global Panda Partners conference, Xinhua will continue to foster international collaboration in ecological initiatives and unite efforts to build a shared future for all life on Earth.

Acting on behalf of Wang Xiaohui and representing the provincial Party committee and the provincial government, Shi Xiaolin extended a warm welcome to the guests and expressed gratitude to friends from both domestic and international sectors for their support and commitment to the giant panda conservation efforts and the progress of Sichuan. Shi Xiaolin expressed that the giant pandas serve as a symbol of peace and envoys of friendship. Sichuan has thoroughly implemented the principles of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization, consistently improved the habitat for giant pandas, and diligently advanced the high-quality development of the Giant Panda National Park in partnership with other provinces like Shaanxi and Gansu. It has established the world's largest and most intact habitat for giant pandas. Approximately seventy-five percent of the giant panda population resides and reproduces in this habitat. Sichuan, recognized as one of the world's 36 biodiversity hotspots, will leverage this conference to bolster habitat protection and development through a variety of initiatives, further intensify international collaboration in areas such as genetic preservation, disease management, and the reintroduction of giant pandas into the wild, and collectively drive forward ecological conservation, green and low-carbon growth, and exchange and mutual learning among civilizations.

In his address, Guan Zhi'ou said that, under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-Civilization, China has attained significant achievements in the conservation of giant pandas. The habitat protection framework for giant pandas is undergoing continuous improvement, leading to an increase in the wild population, which now stands at around 1,900 individuals. Additionally, advancements in technological support have facilitated the growth of the captive panda population. Currently, China is rapidly advancing the modernization of harmony between humanity and nature, which presents new opportunities and injects vitality into the conservation of giant pandas. Looking ahead, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration is committed to accelerating the development of the Giant Panda National Park, establishing a high-caliber National Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center, and broadly expanding cooperation and dialogue on giant panda conservation. In concert with global panda partners, the Administration will propel collaborative efforts in giant panda conservation toward greater depth and tangible outcomes.

The report "Toward a More Beautiful China and a Cleaner World: Understanding Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization" was internationally released during the opening ceremony. It was compiled by the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Ecological Civilization, a national high-level think tank associated with Xinhua News Agency.

Yuan Bingzhong, Vice President of Xinhua News Agency, presided over the opening ceremony. Attendees included provincial leaders Cao Lijun, Chen Wei, and Zheng Li; Wang Fengchao, Mayor of Chengdu Municipal People's Government; representatives of foreign diplomatic envoys and international organizations; leading officials from relevant national ministries and commissions; zoo representatives from relevant countries; media personnel from China and abroad; delegates from part of provinces, cities, academic institutions, research organizations, and businesses; and heads of pertinent provincial departments and cities (prefectures), among others.