China–Côte d’Ivoire: Toward a Shared Green Future

The article connects Ivorians’ attachment to elephants with the story of a herd of 16 Asian elephants that left the Xishuangbanna sanctuary in Yunnan in March 2020. During their 1,300-kilometre journey, which lasted 17 months, Chinese authorities tracked and discreetly guided the animals, while residents were compensated for damage and factories suspended operations to reduce disruption. The herd returned safely to its habitat in August 2021, and its journey was featured at the COP15 biodiversity summit. The account presents the episode as evidence of China’s wildlife protection and ecological transition efforts, including Xi Jinping’s vision that clear waters and green mountains are as valuable as gold.