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The New York Times: The iconic giant pandas from Washington’s National Zoo are being returned to China, closing a chapter of panda diplomacy that dates back to 1972. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, will be relocated to a nature reserve in Sichuan Province after a 19-hour flight.
The return marks the end of a long-standing symbol of US-China relations, which began with pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing’s arrival following President Nixon’s visit to China. This move is attributed to the pandas reaching an age appropriate for their return, according to zoo officials, rather than political tensions. The adult pandas have lived in Washington since 2000, and Xiao Qi Ji, born in 2020, is now nearing the typical age for cubs to return to China. The departure of these pandas leaves Zoo Atlanta with the last giant pandas in the U.S., though they too are expected to return to China soon.
The collaborative research on panda reproduction between China and U.S. zoos has been successful, contributing to the increase in panda populations and efforts to reintroduce them into the wild. Fans and zoo visitors have expressed their sadness and cherished memories of the pandas, highlighting the cultural and emotional impact these animals have had beyond their diplomatic significance.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/08/us/politics/panda-zoo-china.html
