French connection

In that regard, the green model of development taken by the Hainan Free Trade Port in the southern island province not only means industry and economic growth, but also ecological and environmental advancement, fostering a shared beauty between humans and marine life, and reflecting a harmonious coexistence between people and nature, she said.

Serres said she also hopes to work alongside her friends in China to create a safer, more harmonious and joyful home for the "pandas of the ocean … allowing the beautiful and miraculous song of their lives to play on forever".

Lu Jubo and Chen Chaoquan from Sanya Daily and Zhao Hairuo contributed to this story.