President Xi Jinping of China announced during a speech in the United States that Chinese giant pandas might be returning to Washington and San Diego after recent panda departures to China. According to President Xi, the pandas are “envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples,” and that China is committed to continuing its cooperation with the United States on panda conservation efforts. The move to return the pandas to the United States comes amidst rising tensions between the two countries, leaving Americans wondering whether geopolitical matters were a factor in the pandas’ return.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington recently sent its two aging adult pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, back to China due to the expiration of a three-year pandemic-era extension to the zoo’s agreements with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, the zoo’s partner in China. The return of the pandas comes after the pandas were carefully monitored through artificial insemination, and the zoo announced that they would be leaving, causing fans to flock to catch a glimpse of the beloved animals.
Three zoos across the United States have consistently hosted pandas over the years, each negotiating contracts with conservation groups in China. Given the rising tension between the United States and China, the return of the pandas raises questions among Americans about whether geopolitics played a role in the decision. However, officials at the National Zoo insist that the departure of the pandas was a natural progression due to the bears’ age, and negotiations are underway to hopefully bring pandas back to the zoo.
The return of the giant pandas to the United States, as announced by President Xi, is seen as a symbolically important gesture by China, aimed at continuing friendly ties between the two countries. The move is expected to deepen the friendly relations between the Chinese and American peoples, according to President Xi, and some Americans are eagerly awaiting the return of the furry envoys.
