From September 7 to 10, 2026, the 9th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Symposium was grandly held in Langkawi, Malaysia. Centered on the theme “Forging a New Chapter for Geotourism Networks: Innovation, Connection and Transformation”, the conference brought together 590 representatives from Global Geoparks, experts, scholars and representatives of international organizations across 22 Asia-Pacific countries. In-depth discussions were carried out on topics including geoheritage conservation, science popularization education, geotourism development and sustainable community development. The delegation of Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark attended the symposium in Langkawi. It completed booth exhibition and promotion, delivered a special presentation on geological popular science, received the Green Card for the 2025 expansion and revalidation, and officially formed a sister geopark partnership with Langkawi Global Geopark. These fruitful achievements drew wide international attention.

Group photo of the attending delegation

At the venue, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark set up a well-prepared promotion booth. Using graphic display panels, brochures and cultural and creative products, the park showcased to delegates from various countries the hundreds-of-millions-year-old spectacular karst landforms of Zhijindong Cave Uggp. Many participants stopped by the booth and expressed great interest in the magnificent cave landscapes of Zhijindong Cave.

Introducing Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark to delegates at the booth

During the special presentation session of the conference, representatives from Zhijindong Cave Uggp delivered presentations on community geological science popularization, as well as the value and classification of geoheritage, sharing Zhijindong Cave Uggp’s practices in karst cave geoheritage conservation, cave ecological management and coordinated community development.

Geopark representative delivering the special presentation

Known as the “King of Chinese Caves”, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark boasts systematically intact karst cave geoheritage of high scientific research value. As Malaysia’s first Global Geopark, the host Langkawi Global Geopark is famous across the Asia-Pacific region for its unique island karst landforms. Both are karst Global Geoparks, enjoying broad prospects for cooperation in geoheritage conservation and geological science popularization. Witnessed by multiple parties, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark and Langkawi Global Geopark signed a Memorandum of Understanding, officially establishing a sister geopark partnership. Langkawi becomes Zhijindong Cave Uggp’s second overseas sister geopark, following Satun Global Geopark in Thailand. The two sides agreed to carry out regular practical cooperation in joint conservation of karst geoheritage, co-development and mutual promotion of geological science popularization, and joint study tour activities, to jointly explore new pathways for the conservation and sustainable development of karst Global Geoparks.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding to establish sister geopark ties between Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark and Langkawi Global Geopark

Photo taken during exchanges with Satun Global Geopark of Thailand, the sister geopark of Zhijindong Cave Uggp

On September 10, the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) membership certificate awarding ceremony was held at the conference. Representatives of Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark took the stage to receive the Green Card, further consolidating its membership status within the UNESCO Global Geoparks Network and lifting its international influence to a new level.

Geopark representative receiving the Green Card for the 2025 expansion and revalidation

Going forward, Zhijindong Cave Global Geopark will continue to deepen transnational exchanges and collaboration, prioritize conservation, further develop geological science popularization and geotourism, polish its international brand as the “King of Chinese Caves”, and contribute Zhijindong Cave’s strength to the coordinated development of the Global Geoparks Network.