Yao Ming Meets Giant Panda Bear Cub During Trip to Chinese Nature Preserve (Photo)

Yao Ming and a giant panda bear cub had a chance to get acquainted on Wednesday, and it went as you would expect a meeting between a 7-foot tall human and a member of an endangered species to go.

While attending a ceremony to announce a new phase of a panda-breeding initiative in China, Yao took a moment to pose for a photo with one of the cubs Chinese researchers are breeding for re-release. The hope is that someday, these pandas born in captivity can eventually survive on their own in the wild.

"I think it is most important to keep a balance between modern living and nature," Yao said. "We have been talking about it for many years but it is never an easy thing to do."

Do you know what is never an easy thing to do? Fighting the urge to smile while checking out this picture of Yao with a panda cub.

Photo via Twitter/@si_vault