China Resumes 'Panda Diplomacy' Before Trump Visit... Two Pandas Headed to U.S.

China has resumed its "panda diplomacy" ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump's visit to the country.

On April 24, the China Wildlife Conservation Association announced via the social media platform WeChat that it will begin a new cooperative research project on giant panda conservation with Zoo Atlanta in Georgia. As part of this initiative, two pandas from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding-Pingping (male) and Fushuang (female)-will be sent to the United States and used for joint research over the next 10 years.

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Given that China has long used pandas as diplomatic symbols, this move is seen as an indirect expression of China's willingness to ease the strained relations between China and the United States. During a briefing that day, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated, "The giant panda is a national treasure of China, as well as a messenger and bridge of friendship among the peoples of the world. We believe that the new China-U.S. panda conservation cooperation will help improve the health and welfare of pandas, enhance the ability to protect endangered species such as pandas, and make new contributions to deepening the friendship between the people of China and the United States."

Meanwhile, both countries have begun preparatory work for panda cooperation. The U.S. side is renovating facilities and improving the living environment to ensure the pandas can live healthily, while the Chinese side is providing technical support by setting standards for management of breeding facilities, food supply, and health care.

The two countries have been conducting joint panda research since 1999. At that time, giant pandas Yangyang and Lunlun were sent to Zoo Atlanta and successfully bred seven cubs, which has been recognized as a representative success story of panda cooperation between China and the West. Currently, there are a total of four pandas in the United States, with two each at the San Diego Zoo and the Smithsonian National Zoo.

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