A determined giant panda was captured on camera adeptly climbing a narrow staircase with a long stick of bamboo in its mouth at the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda (CCRCGP) in Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province.
This playful moment was shared on the multimedia platform iPanda by the No.1 Giant Panda Villa on June 8.
In the video, a giant panda breaks off the stick and makes its way up the stairs to a wooden platform, despite some difficulty. With task completed, the bear plops down for well-earned chewing session.
The CCRCGP is a leading institution for panda conservation and research, known for having the world's largest artificially-bred giant panda population and serving as a specialist center for the training and release of captive-bred pandas into the wild.
It also boasts the largest and most extensive collaborative platform for giant panda cooperation and exchange worldwide. The center has established partnerships and cooperative relations with 18 zoos in 16 countries and regions, 39 domestic animal breeding institutions, and over 10 scientific research institutes.
Panda seen climbing through obstacles with long stick of bamboo in mouth
As China's elderly population grows, shopping malls in Shanghai have actively adapted part of their services to cater to the needs and preferences of elderly consumers, tapping into silver-haired consumer market.
This trend reflects the city's efforts to enhance elderly care services amid the population aging. By the end of 2023, people aged 60 and older reached 5.68 million in Shanghai, representing a whopping 37.4 percent of the city's total population.
A shopping mall on the downtown Nanjing East Road pedestrian street has opened a dedicated club for senior citizens, offering a diverse range of activities from the operation of health workshops to traditional handicraft classes.
"I gain a lot every time I come here. I can participate in various club activities and also exchange knowledge and everyday life hacks with others," said Fu Meilin, an elderly resident.
The mall houses nearly 60 time-honored brands, along with dining and entertainment options suited to senior citizens.
Another business district in Shanghai's Putuo District has adopted a different approach, focusing on attracting retirees during weekdays while catering to younger shoppers on weekends.
Restaurants offer affordable off-peak meal deals priced under 100 yuan (about 13.88 U.S. dollars), attracting a large number of senior customers.
To ensure a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for the elderly, many shopping malls have conducted age-friendly renovations, including providing comfortable seating areas, accessible restrooms, and consumer guidance services for the elderly shoppers.
Driven by the population aging, China's "silver economy" has shown vast growth potential, with the market currently estimated at around seven trillion yuan and projected to reach a 30 trillion yuan by 2035.
Shopping malls in Shanghai adapt to cater to growing 'silver economy'
