BEIJING, Aug. 22 (Xinhua) -- Fourteen international ambassadors for the promotion of giant panda culture were named in Beijing Tuesday night.

The "ambassadors," including foreign ambassadors to China, officials, giant panda experts, entrepreneurs and celebrities, will commit to promoting the cultural symbol of the giant panda around the world.

The event was held as part of the First Giant Panda International Culture Week, to be held in Beijing from Aug. 23 to 26, with the aim of celebrating China's efforts in preserving the vulnerable species and promoting the global influence of giant panda culture.

"Giant pandas are China's envoy for friendship and have contributed to China's friendly ties with other countries," said Li Chunliang, deputy head of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

A wide variety of activities will be held during Giant Panda International Culture Week, including photography exhibitions, movie screenings and book events.

Giant Panda International Culture Week is jointly hosted by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Chinese People's Association of Friendship with Foreign Countries, and the provincial governments of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi.

Giant pandas mainly live in the mountains of northern Sichuan Province as well as southern Gansu and Shaanxi provinces.