Beijing, 22 February 2024 (TDI): China continues its panda diplomacy as it prepares to send a new pair of giant pandas to the San Diego Zoo this year. Amidst deteriorating ties between the United States and China, this move serves as a boost for international cooperation in giant panda conservation efforts.
The China Wildlife Conservation Association has forged agreements with the San Diego Zoo and Madrid Zoo. This is for a new round of international cooperation in giant panda conservation. Discussions are also underway with the National Zoo in Washington and Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna.
Megan Owen, VP of wildlife conservation science at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, announced the potential arrival of a male and female panda pair by the end of summer.
In addition to this, she expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue collaborative conservation efforts.
Notably, one of the potential female pandas has lineage tracing back to Bai Yun and Gao Gao. Both of them are former residents of the San Diego Zoo. The zoo has been without giant pandas since 2019.
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Additionally, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted the importance of scientific research and international cooperation in protecting endangered species like the giant panda.
He emphasized the role of such initiatives in enhancing people-to-people connectivity. It also fosters friendship between nations.
Moreover, the recent return of pandas from United States zoos has cast a shadow over the future of pandas in the nation. The loan agreement for four pandas at Zoo Atlanta is set to expire.
This year, the arrival of new pandas at San Diego Zoo marks a significant development in maintaining panda presence in the United States.
China’s Panda diplomacy
Panda diplomacy is the practice of giving giant pandas from China to other countries for diplomatic purposes. Between 1941 and 1984, the Chinese government gave pandas to foreign countries. They have been leased instead of gifted since 1984 as a result of a change in PRC policy.
While the Republic of China utilized gigantic pandas for diplomatic purposes as early as 1941, the People’s Republic of China increased its use of panda diplomacy in the 1950s and has continued the practice to this day.
Between 1957 and 1983, 24 pandas were sent as presents to nine countries as a sign of friendship. These countries included the Soviet Union, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
