Qinhuangdao in North China's Hebei province has launched a panda-themed healing base offering nature-based therapy for children with autism through close encounters with giant pandas.

The initiative, designed to ease anxiety and foster emotional connection, reflects the city's growing commitment to developing innovative rehabilitation approaches for autism, local authorities said.

The base was inaugurated during an event themed "Giant Panda Healing ? Guarding the Stars" at Qinhuangdao wildlife park on March 27.

A total of 133 children with autism, accompanied by their parents and volunteers, attended the event ahead of the 19th World Autism Awareness Day that will be observed on Thursday.

Many children arrived restless but gradually relaxed as they moved through the park's animal zones.

At the panda pavilion, the calming presence of 6-year-old pandas Tao Su and Ya Nan — marking their 100th day in the city — brought quiet joy to their faces.

"Interaction with animals can effectively ease anxiety in children with autism and help them build inner security," said Li Nan, deputy director of the rehabilitation center at the city's disabled persons' federation. "That is the heart of this nature-based healing initiative."

Designed to combine daily visits with themed activities, the base leverages the gentle nature of giant pandas to create a therapeutic environment.

Ma Zhiguo, president of the disabled persons' federation of Haigang district, said the animals' calm and nonaggressive nature meets the needs of children with autism for safe and predictable interactions.

"They can reduce social anxiety and become icebreakers for emotional connection," he said.

Song Liping, mother of 31-year-old Li Ruxian, has lived this journey for decades. Her son did not speak until age 4.

"Raising a child with autism requires far more patience and energy than most people can imagine," Song said, noting the dual challenge of financial strain and psychological pressure.

Still, a growing number of individuals with autism are making steady progress through professional intervention and social support.

Song has dedicated herself to her son's rehabilitation since 2014, becoming a volunteer and launching music therapy programs. Today, her son has grown from someone in constant need of care into her teaching assistant.

Compared with traditional indoor training, nature — and animal-based therapy offers distinct advantages, said Liu Demin, Party branch secretary of the Qinhuangdao psychological health association.

The association has long provided psychological counseling and communication skills training for frontline workers supporting children with special needs.

"Animals are open and nonjudgmental. Being with them creates a low-pressure social environment and encourages children to initiate interaction," Liu said.

She added that outdoor, multisensory experiences can promote sensory development, while open natural spaces help alleviate anxiety.

"Observing panda behavior can also extend attention spans, providing strong support for daily rehabilitation," she said.

To make such experiences more accessible, the wildlife park announced a preferential policy: for each visitor holding a severe disability certificate, one accompanying family member can enter for free.

Future plans include specialized sessions for visitors with autism and enhanced personnel training.

As the day ended with an animal parade, children wandered freely under the spring sun. For these "children of the stars", the encounter with the gentle animals offered moments of simple joy — a reminder that every life holds immeasurable value.

Liu Zhen and Wu Yiqun contributed to this story.