Xi Jinping's Potential Plan to Gift USA with Fresh Pandas as Symbols of Friendship
China's President Xi Jinping hints at sending new pandas to the US, portraying them as symbols of goodwill between the Chinese and American nations This gesture seeks to mend strained relations between the two global powers
Chinese leader Xi Jinping proposed on Wednesday that China could send new pandas to the United States, referring to them as "representatives of friendship between the Chinese and American populations." This suggestion is part of ongoing efforts to improve the strained relationship between the two countries. During a speech in San Francisco, Xi informed American business leaders that he had been made aware of the San Diego Zoo and the people of California eagerly anticipating the return of pandas.
"We are prepared to further our collaboration with the United States regarding panda conservation, and strive to fulfill the preferences of Californians in order to enhance the amicable relations between our two nations."
Xi made these comments shortly after engaging in in-depth discussions with US President Joe Biden, during which the two leaders took constructive measures to stabilize the volatile relations between the world's leading economies.
China lends pandas to over 20 countries globally as symbols of friendship from Beijing in a program known as "panda diplomacy." In recent years, Xi has authorized the loaning of pandas to several European countries, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, and Finland. Notably, China sent a pair of pandas to Qatar last year, marking the first time a Middle Eastern country received a loan of pandas.
China has not provided the US with any new panda loans for the past twenty years, in contrast to their historical significance as an informal indicator of China-US relations. This tradition began in 1972 when China presented a pair of pandas to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. as a symbol of goodwill following US President Richard Nixon's groundbreaking visit to China.
Earlier this month, Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their youngest cub, Xiao Qi Ji, the three remaining pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo, were sent back to China. This marks the conclusion of over 50 years of housing Chinese pandas at the zoo.
As a result, Zoo Atlanta is now the sole US zoo that showcases pandas from China. However, the contracts for Atlanta's four bears are scheduled to end next year, and it is currently unknown whether an extension will be granted.
At a dinner event on Wednesday, Xi mentioned that the three pandas at Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington D.C. have recently been returned to China. He noted that many Americans, particularly children, were unwilling to bid farewell to the pandas and visited the zoo to see them off. However, Xi did not provide further information regarding the potential location for future pandas from China, although California was indicated as the probable choice.
The San Diego Zoo returned its final pair of pandas to China in 2019 upon the conclusion of the loan agreement.
On Tuesday, Xi arrived in San Francisco for a four-day visit, which includes his participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation international forum. It is noteworthy that this is the Chinese leader's first trip to the US in over six years.
Xi and Biden met for the first time since November 2022 during a four-hour long meeting on Wednesday. Their previous encounter took place in Bali, Indonesia, during another international gathering.
