Rescue, breeding center in Yunnan provides temporary haven for wild elephants

The Asian Elephant Breeding and Rescue Center in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, has established itself as a crucial sanctuary for wild elephants, offering vital support and protection to prepare them for a successful return to their natural habitats.

Chen Jiming, an elephant breeder at the center, is responsible for overseeing the elephants' pre-release training at the Xishuangbanna Wild Elephant Valley.

"For this type of training, we let the elephants eat and drink as they please. In the rainforest, they lead us, and we follow wherever they go," Chen said.

The training focuses on elephants that are not yet fit for wild survival due to factors like injuries. Each elephant's details and history are carefully documented to ensure effective care and protection.

The tasks involved in rescuing and protecting these elephants are both complex and scientifically rigorous. Since its official opening in 2009, the center has conducted over 20 field rescues and has successfully rehabilitated 18 wild Asian elephants.

"Years of experience in rescue work have improved our protection efforts, leading to better health for the elephants and bringing them closer to conditions suitable for rewilding," said Wang Bin, director of the center.

As a flagship species of China's tropical rainforests and one of Asia's most iconic land vertebrates, the Asian elephants were listed as critically endangered species under emergency protection during China's 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

National conservation efforts have intensified in recent years, with over 200 million yuan (about 28.2 million U.S. dollars) allocated for the protection and management of Asian elephants since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Consequently, the population of wild Asian elephants in Yunnan has increased from 150 to over 300 in the past three decades.

"From an ecological standpoint, what we usually call flagship or umbrella species are like an umbrella. Protecting these species - by ensuring adequate habitat and food - ultimately increases their population which signifies that they help safeguard the broader environment. The growth in the elephant population reflects the improving health of our ecosystem," said Chen Fei, director of the Asian elephant research center of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

Rescue, breeding center in Yunnan provides temporary haven for wild elephants

Nepali Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday highlighted the importance of stronger business ties with China at the Nepal-China Business Forum in Beijing, calling for joint efforts of the business community from both sides to achieve mutual benefit.

Oli is in China for a four-day official visit, during which he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday.

On Wednesday afternoon, he delivered a keynote speech at the forum, in which he spoke highly of the close relationship between the two nations.

"We are not only linked by mountains and rivers, but we are also connected by culture and situation on economic relations, respect for sovereign equality, territory integrity, political independence as well as mutual trust," said the prime minister.

Oli also encouraged businesses from both countries to deepen cooperation.

"I encourage the business community from both countries to work together for mutual benefit. Your increased collaboration and partnership will contribute to further enhancing our economic cooperation. I believe the private sector is the real engine of economic growth and prosperity," he said.

India, as Nepal's largest trading partner, accounts for two-thirds of Nepal's international trade, whereas China, as the second largest, now accounts for about 14 percent. Nine agreements have been signed between China and Nepal, with some of them focusing on enhancing business ties.

According to some participants in the forum, there is still much room for the two countries to expand cooperation in trade and investment.

"Our export is very much low, if we compare with the lot of import from China. So we need to export more items to China. Border connectivity also needs to be improved [more] than what we already have," said Chandra Prasad Dhakal, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

"From January to September this year, the trade volume between China and Nepal reached 1.58 billion U.S. dollars, marking an 8.7-percent year-on-year increase, showcasing the great potential of bilateral economic and trade cooperation," said Zhang Shaogang, vice chairman of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade.

Nepali prime minister stresses importance of stronger business ties with China