On May 29, the 2026 International Mountain Tourism Day Theme Events opened in Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province. Themed "Preserving World Heritage, Sharing the Prosperity of Famous Mountains — Zhiyin Hubei, Mysterious Shennongjia," the event brought together international organizations, foreign embassies and consulates in China, industry experts, and media representatives from around the world to explore pathways for the coordinated development of ecological protection and cultural tourism. The program featured the Opening Ceremony, the 2026 Dialogue among World Famous Mountains, the Investment and Business Meeting for Mountain Culture and Tourism, and a series of other events. Guests participated in various formats, sharing cutting-edge ideas and deepening practical cooperation. Zhao Zhonghua, Chief Representative of the Beijing Representative Office, World Animal Protection, shared his views at the “Dialogue among World Famous Mountains 2026” Roundtable Dialogue session.
The following is the full text of the speech:
World Animal Protection (UK) was founded 76 years ago with its headquarters registered in the United Kingdom. It is an international organization with official relations with the United Nations, maintaining offices across all five continents. The organization's mission is to protect animals and end animal cruelty worldwide. Mountains are the home of wildlife, and human tourism activities enter the territories of wild animals. Therefore, the participation of animal protection organizations in tourism forums is essential.
The organization is a science-based and rational animal protection body. It does not oppose ecotourism or mountain tourism, but studies the relationship between humans and wildlife. The most important principle is maintaining distance — a sense of "boundary." Humans should only observe wildlife from a distance, avoiding close contact such as touching, riding, or taking photos together. There are two reasons for this: first, close contact may cause distress and abuse to animals; second, wild animals carry pathogens, and the transmission of diseases between humans and wildlife may affect the health of both. The "One Health" concept adopted by the United Nations in 2022 emphasizes that human health, animal health, and ecosystem health are closely interconnected. Maintaining distance is a core measure to protect both animal and human health.
Shennongjia National Nature Reserve has accumulated advanced experience in wildlife protection. Compared with protected areas around the world, wildlife protection in Shennongjia is in good condition. It is recommended to strengthen international cooperation, invite international animal protection professionals to exchange experiences, while Shennongjia's experience is also ready to be shared with other countries. Through experience-sharing meetings and other forms, mutual learning among protected areas worldwide can be promoted. Ecological protection knows no borders — all those who protect the ecology of the planet are one family.
Editor Ⅰ: Zhang Congxiao
Editor Ⅱ: Zhang Wenwen
Editor Ⅲ: Liu Guosong