A cyclist rides against snow and wind as snow hits Hulun Buir city, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, Oct 16, 2012. [Photo/Asianewsphoto]

Two dozen semifinalists from North America, who are vying for positions as panda ambassadors, pose before the competition on Tuesday in Washington DC. They were scheduled to participate in a series of challenges in which their panda knowledge, physical strength, communications skills and team-working abilities would be tested. Sun Chenbei / China Daily