【平阳县】Chinese Culture Behind the Asian Elephants’ Migration

陈舒铭 2021-07-29 18:10:45

Wild Asian elephants originally living in the Xishuangbanna National Nature Reserve have moved all the way north, sparking media attention in China and around the world. This "sneak" has become a phenomenal show this year.

Is it just because it is a "rare sight" that global audiences are paying so much attention to a dozen elephants walking? This is not the case. Behind the elephants' leisurely walking show, there is a more cultural context for the audience to gain. Some see the wonders of nature similar to those expressed in Animal World, others use the elephants' route for a humanistic tour, and there are overseas viewers who have learned about exotic places because of the elephants. These experiences intertwine to give the audience a more complex and advanced sensory reward than seeing elephants in a zoo.

Through the elephant herd, people are actually looking at culture, especially the Chinese culture behind this great migration.

Following the pace of the elephants, global audiences were taken on a fantastical journey through southwest China. After years of efforts, China has adhered to the concept of green development, continuously promoted the construction of ecological civilization and achieved remarkable results, becoming an important participant, contributor and leader in the construction of global ecological civilization. Along the route of the elephant herd, people can see lush greenery, clear streams, interlocking roads and fields of villages along the way, all quiet and orderly. A graphic report published on the website of Paris Match shows elephants resting on the ground and exclaims that the scene of elephants napping on the road is "a beautiful scene in China". In this image, the herd is lying down in the woodland, surrounded by greenery, and the adults surround the young elephants in the centre of the herd, sleeping together in a beautiful and heart-warming scene.

Behind these moving scenes is also a reflection of the considerable efforts made by the Chinese government and local people to protect elephants and ensure that humans and elephants live in peace. This also gives the world a visual impression that China is a land of peace and love.

China upholds the ecological value of "harmony between man and nature". This is not only a requirement for ecological protection, but also a reflection on economic development and the improvement of people's livelihoods. The Chinese government has taken the initiative to seek cooperation with international experts on the best solution for the herd and humans in resolving this wild elephant exodus in Yunnan, while demonstrating to the world its commitment to elephant conservation and finding solutions to ensure harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants. Both the Chinese government and the Chinese people have been patient enough with these huge migrating animals. Despite the damage caused by the elephants along the way, the government chose to take various friendly and passive measures to guide the elephants to change their route, and the people showed their tolerance and affection for the herd, as they always do.

The global media has shown great enthusiasm for the elephant's trip, and it has been a rare Chinese event for some time that has not been politicised by the foreign media. It is these grounded daily routines that allow overseas people to understand the real China and its culture.