The China Wildlife Conservation Association has inked agreements with Madrid Zoo Aquarium of Spain and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance of the United States about cooperation on conservation of giant pandas, as part of efforts to step up the protection of the species on a global level, the association said in a statement on Thursday.

China hopes the new efforts will further expand scientific research about the protection of giant pandas and other endangered species, and promote people-to-people friendship, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Thursday at a news briefing.