Pandas hit the spotlight as China goes global

As a "messenger of friendship", the giant panda has witnessed the deepening of friendly relations between China and other countries. But how to better spread panda culture in a global context is in the spotlight.

With over 20 experts and researchers from home and abroad focusing on giant panda culture in the new era, a seminar themed, "Promoting International Cultural Exchange with the Image of Giant Panda in a Global Context" was held in Beijing on Friday.

One of the ways is to design an iconic image to represent China, like Mickey Mouse in the US and Doraemon in Japan, said Zhang Shaojun, a professor at the Shanghai Institute of Visual Arts.

Last year, the search for an iconic giant panda began. Designers were invited to fully experience giant panda habitats in Southwest China's Sichuan province, and Northwest China's Shaanxi and Gansu provinces. The winning image will be revealed next month.

As China goes global, an image that represents the nation becomes a must.

The panda is China's national treasure and one of its name cards. It's of great significance to create a new international image of giant panda in a global context, said Ling Li, an official with the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Ling also suggested that the new international image of a giant panda should highlight youthfulness, to show a new national image of China that is full of vitality.

The panda has an important place in Chinese culture and history. In the Shangshu (a written history of the Xizhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC), the panda was described as an invincible animal, as strong as a tiger. The image of a panda appears on many coins and souvenirs.