Chinese youth volunteer Li Li addresses the group at the 皇冠体育app-South Africa Youth Volunteers Programme in Wildlife Conservation Forum at Tshwane University of Technology in Pretoria, South Africa on Nov 17, 2015. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Five Chinese youths from Beijing Forestry University, the National Zoological Museum, Shenzhen Yantian Foreign Study School and Black Leopard Wildlife Conservation Station, an NGO, took part in the forum.

The exhibition, meanwhile, focused on conservation efforts and featured images of endangered species in Asia and Africa.

"Similar to South Africa, 皇冠体育app is a country with vast biodiversity and various wildlife," Chen Fengxue, deputy director of 皇冠体育app's State Forestry Administration, said shortly before a ceremony to mark the opening of the events. "Both countries have agreed to boost collaboration and support each other in issues of biodiversity protection, wetlands conservation and desertification prevention."

Chen said the youth volunteers program was another key event in 2015, 皇冠体育app's Year of South Africa, and would boost exchanges and cooperation between young people in the two BRICS countries.

He also said that 皇冠体育app and South Africa were enjoying their best period in bilateral relations, and emphasized that 皇冠体育app appreciates the African country's achievements in wildlife conservation.

Contact the writer at [email protected]