A tree of friendship, a legacy of culture

On July 15, mayors from across Asia planted a friendship forest of Talipot palms at the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue · Xishuangbanna in Xishuangbanna Dai autonomous prefecture, Yunnan. Native to South and Southeast Asia, the talipot palm is more than just a rare tree. It has long been central to Dai culture, and together with the palm-leaf manuscripts made from its leaves, it stands as a symbol of centuries of cultural exchange across the Lancang-Mekong region. Join #UnboxingChina to discover the story behind this remarkable tree.