Recently, the “Friendly Sichuan in Belgium” event was held at the Chinese Garden in Pairi Daiza zoo, the largest Chinese garden in Europe.
“As Sichuan is home to the giant panda, I will be there personally if possible.” said Micheal, a Belgian girl who exclaimed while taking photos with her cellphone for exquisite pictures exhibited. In Belgian people’s eyes, the giant panda is one of Chinese symbols. According to Chinese Ambassador to Belgium Cao Zhongming, the Pairi Daiza zoo has the largest number of pandas in Europe. Besides, the visiting panda “Haohao” gave birth to panda twins in Belgium, offering a new widely told story of China-Belgium friendship.
At the scene, the local residents were sampling paper-cutting, sugar painting as well as fine food and wine with great interest. Before the stand of sugar painting, Leclercq, governor of Belgium's Hainaut province, was turning around the rotary plate to choose sugar drawings. Then the craftsman drew a “giant panda” picture for him in view of his great interest. The “Sichuan Impression” photo exhibition, which depicts the ancient Chinese temples, tea houses and green bamboo forests and fairy cranes, offered a vivid experience for visitors. While the other events including the “Cultural Sichuan” intangible cultural heritage exhibition also present an original and authentic China.
Jean-Pierre D. Gobert, a regular visitor of the Pairi Daiza zoo, goes there everyday in order to capture the best shots of panda. “I was enlightened today by charming Chinese culture. The Chinese intangible cultural heritages exhibited have undergone favorable inheritance and development. I will introduce China to more friends to promote brand name’ of China.” he said.