In 1981, Chinese scientists found the world's last seven known wild crested ibises in Yang county, Hanzhong. After decades of conservation involving close international collaboration, the global population has grown to about 11,000 — making the crested ibis a symbol of ecological preservation. The bird has also become a focus of international exchange: the first International Crested Ibis Forum was held in Yang county in 2018, and the second took place in Seoul the following year.
Shanghai hosted a seminar under the "Shared Beauty of the Crested Ibis" theme in 2022. Crested ibis-themed products appeared at the seventh and eighth editions of the CIIE.
The Korea-China Association for Cultural Exchange brought several South Korean companies to the pavilion, showcasing clothing designs and lipsticks in shades inspired by the bird's plumage, among others.
