An increasing number of endangered Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkeys have been spotted in the Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve on the northern slope of the Qinling Mountains, thanks to rigorous habitat protection measures.
With flattened noses and golden-colored furs, the monkeys under top-level state protection live in temperate forests of mountainous highlands. They can be found in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, and Hubei in southwestern, northwestern, and central China
"Since last year's monitoring period, the overall population of monkeys has been increasing. The number of newborn monkeys each year has been remaining above 30. We monitored over 260 monkeys last year and almost 300 this year. Moreover, the survival rate of newborn monkeys is quite high," said Zhang Chao, staff member at the Shuangmiaozi protection station, Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve.
The Zhouzhi National Nature Reserve in northwestern Shaanxi Province is the northernmost outpost for the golden monkey. This vital habitat supports nearly 2,000 individuals, divided into 24 separate populations.
"The golden snub-nosed monkey is under top-level protection in China and a flagship species in Qinling Mountains. By protecting them, we can draw more attention to this species and then more efforts to protect their habitat. Engaging in ecological conservation is closely related to every one of us," Zhang said.
The Qinling Mountains, a 50,000-square-kilometer expanse in Shaanxi Province, are dubbed China's "gene bank," teeming with diverse plant and animal life.
Rare golden monkeys flourish in northwest China's nature reserve
A photo exhibition dedicated to the Flying Tigers kicked off on Saturday in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Co-sponsored by the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and Xinjiang's government departments, the exhibition features 312 rare photographs and six artifacts, highlighting the enduring friendship between Chinese and American people.
Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, expressed hope that the exhibition tour would help more people know about the history of the close cooperation between China and the U.S. in the fight against Japanese invaders during World War II.
"We have many, 50 plus schools throughout China. Most of them we've visited. We have 25 schools in America. So anyway, the significance is we can talk in a way that no other group can talk. We have something in common. The thing in common is what the American pilots and the Chinese people did together 80 years ago," said Greene.
Besides the photo exhibition, the delegation from the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation also went to Xinjiang University and other places to award the title of "Flying Tigers Friendship School" to seven schools in Xinjiang.
"The story of the Flying Tigers is well known in China. I believe that the story and spirit of the Flying Tigers symbolize justice, peace, friendship and cooperation. This event is also an opportunity to tell the story of Xinjiang and amplifies the image of Xinjiang to the American public," said Xu Guixiang, Secretary of Party Committee of the Foreign Affairs Office under the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region People's Government.
The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault. They came to China to help Chinese people fight the invading Japanese troops.
While the Flying Tigers did not directly engage in enemy forces in Xinjiang, they share a lesser-known connection to the autonomous region.
During World War II, the Flying Tigers made attempts to establish alternative flight routes over the Himalayas, known as the Hump route, to circumvent Japan's blockade of strategic materials.
The foundation initiated the Flying Tigers Friendship School and Young Leaders Program in 2022 to promote the spirit of the Flying Tigers among Chinese and American students and deepen mutual respect and cooperation. To date, the program has partnered with nearly 60 schools across China.
Flying Tigers exhibition in Xinjiang highlights China-US friendship
