For the first time in over twenty years, China has resumed its practice of “panda diplomacy” by sending two giant pandas to the United States. The four-year-old pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, arrived from China’s Sichuan province and will be housed at the San Diego Zoo as part of a long-term conservation collaboration.
Yun Chuan, a male, and Xin Bao, a female who turns four in July, left the Bifengxia Giant Panda Base in Sichuan on Wednesday. Their arrival marks the continuation of a tradition that began decades ago, aimed at fostering goodwill and collaboration between China and the U.S. through the shared interest of giant panda conservation.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, who attended the departure ceremony in China, expressed his enthusiasm for the pandas’ arrival. “I’m honored to have been invited to join in the farewell ceremonies in China for Yun Chuan and Xin Bao,” Gloria wrote on social media. “This is a historic conservation partnership that will help protect these magnificent creatures and their habitat.”
The pandas’ journey and settlement underscore a renewed partnership between China and the United States in wildlife conservation. Paul Baribault, President and CEO of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, saying, “The farewell ceremony celebrates their journey and underscores a collaboration between the United States and China on vital conservation efforts.”
Both Chinese and American caretakers and veterinarians accompanied the pandas to ensure a smooth transition. Huang Shan, a giant panda caretaker at the Ya’an facility, mentioned that American staff had previously visited China to familiarize themselves with Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, enhancing the care continuity for the pandas.
Upon their arrival in San Diego, the pandas will be quarantined and gradually acclimatized to their new environment before being introduced to the public. This approach aims to minimize stress and ensure their well-being.
San Diego Zoo was the pioneer in establishing a cooperative panda conservation program in the U.S., which has significantly contributed to the health and resilience of giant pandas. The zoo previously housed pandas until 2019, when Bai Yun and her son Xiao Liwu returned to China. Yun Chuan’s connection to San Diego Zoo is notable; he is the offspring of Zhen Zhen, a panda born at the zoo in 2007.
China’s practice of “panda diplomacy” has historically been a tool to enhance international relations. Recently, China recalled pandas from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo amidst strained relations with the U.S. However, with a recent thaw in bilateral ties, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged to return giant pandas to the U.S., emphasizing peaceful coexistence despite ongoing political tensions.
Experts like Neil Thomas from the Asia Society Policy Institute suggest that while panda diplomacy is a positive gesture, it will likely have minimal impact on the broader U.S.-China relationship, which is characterized by strategic competition. “Zoogoers should enjoy watching the cute pandas without worrying that Washington has become beholden to Beijing,” Thomas noted.
As Yun Chuan and Xin Bao settle into their new home, they symbolize not only a continuation of panda conservation efforts but also a subtle easing of diplomatic tensions. The presence of these pandas at the San Diego Zoo promises to delight visitors and contribute to the global effort to protect this vulnerable species.
