China to Continue Sending Pandas to the United States

Chinese President Xi Jinping has indicated China will continue to send pandas to the United States following his meeting with President Biden in California. 

During remarks at a dinner with business leaders in San Francisco Wednesday night, the leader of the People's Republic of China appeared poised to rekindle its so-called "panda diplomacy" with the U.S. after tensions between the countries threatened the future of the agreement. The program refers to the decades-long practice of the Chinese government gifting or loaning giant pandas to other countries as a form of goodwill. 

"Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between China and the U.S.," Xi said. "We are ready to continue our cooperation on panda protection with the U.S., and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples." 

During a recent meeting with President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his gratitude for the warm reception that three pandas received upon their return to China. The pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, were previously residing at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. It was reported that Americans, including children, were reluctant to say goodbye to the beloved pandas.

The pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, arrived at the National Zoo in 2000 as part of a research and breeding program. Originally intended to stay for only 10 years, their stay was extended multiple times. However, they were recently returned to China.

President Xi also mentioned that the San Diego Zoo and the people of California are eagerly anticipating the return of pandas. The San Diego Zoo previously housed two pandas, which successfully gave birth to six cubs. However, all of them were eventually returned to China in 2019.

These comments from President Xi came after his meeting with President Biden at the Filoli Historic House & Garden in Woodside, California. During the meeting, President Biden announced plans to resume military-to-military contact and cooperate with China on counternarcotics efforts.

Endangered Giant Pandas in the U.S.

There are currently only four giant pandas remaining in the United States, and all of them are housed at the Atlanta Zoo. The pandas, named Lun Lun and Yang Yang, along with their two offspring, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, are the last of their kind in the country.

The Atlanta Zoo has a loan agreement with China, which was established in the mid-1990s. According to the agreement, the younger cubs will be returned to China by the end of 2024, and their parents are also expected to go back. However, the zoo has stated that there have been no discussions to extend the loan agreement beyond 2024.

Article contributed by Caitlin O'Kane.