Published on : 30/05/2024
The China Wildlife Conservation Association has announced a new round of international research cooperation on the protection of giant pandas with the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and an agreement has been signed.
The association stated that two pandas, "Baoli"(寶力) and "Qingbao"(青寶), will travel to the United States later this year.
Chinese experts visited U.S. three times for preparation
The association states that to ensure a healthy living environment for the pandas, Chinese experts have visited the U.S. three times this year, providing guidance on habitat renovation and technical consultations, and establishing standards for facilities, care management, food supply, and health care for the pandas.
Meanwhile, the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. has been actively renovating and upgrading their habitats, creating a more comfortable and safer environment for the pandas. The zoo is also equipped with experienced full-time keepers and professional veterinary and scientific teams.
Relevant parties in both China and the U.S., as stated by the association, will strictly comply with the regulations and technical standards for raising pandas, conduct regular health monitoring and onsite inspections and evaluations, to ensure the health and safety of the pandas abroad.
According to an announcement from the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., Ambassador Xie Feng attended a press release event at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. and delivered a speech.
Xie Feng said that "giant pandas are national treasures of China, superstars at the National Zoo, and the favourite of many around the world", and even before China and the United States established diplomatic relations, the cooperation on panda conservation between two countries had already begun.
Ambassador Xie quoted the line from the animation Kung Fu Panda II, "it is who you choose to be that makes you who you are." He believes that for the welfare of the people of both countries and the future of the world, China and the U.S. should choose to be partners, not competitors.
Xie also states that "panda-huggers" should not be stigmatised, and he expects people to care about China-U.S. relations as they do about pandas, striving together for a peaceful and prosperous future.
"Baoli" has special bond with the U.S.
The male panda "Baoli" has a deep connection with the United States.
Not only was his mother "Baobao" born in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., his maternal grandparents are "Tiantian" and "Meixiang" who returned to China from the zoo last year.
In fact, the return of "Meixiang" and her family at the end of last year attracted widespread attention. Since then, the Atlanta Zoo has become the only zoo in the U.S. to have pandas, but the pair of pandas and their twin cubs in the zoo are expected to return to China this year.
During President Xi Jinping's visit to the United States at the end of 2023, he said China-U.S. relations "rely on the people, are rooted in the community, are for the future generation, and thrive at the local level."
China encourages and expects more interactions and exchanges between the people of the two countries. The Giant Panda is an "ambassador of friendship" between the people of China and the U.S.;China is willing to continue cooperation on panda conservation with the U.S. and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations.
This statement is seen by the outside world as an important signal and the beginning of warming China-U.S. relations.
Read more: Panda "Meixiang" and "Tiantian" return to China with their cub "Little Miracle"
Read more: Panda Xiangxiang's return to China creates a farewell wave
