No more pandas in Japan as twins take flight for China
There are no giant pandas in Japan for the first time in more than half a century. Twins Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were returned to China this week from a zoo in Tokyo. Their departure leaves many people wondering if the void will ever be filled.
The pandas were born five years ago at Ueno Zoological Gardens. They made their final appearance on Sunday in front of more than 4,000 people selected by lottery. Demand was high, with just a one-in-24 chance of snagging a place.
"I feel a little sad, but seeing the pandas has given me some energy," said one boy among the lucky winners.
"I cried as soon as I saw them," said a woman in her 60s. "I've been seeing pandas here in Japan since I was young, and I hope children can see some again in the future."
Those who have been looking after Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei feel the same way. "I really appreciate many people coming to share a final moment with the pandas," said Kaneko Mikako, a deputy director at Ueno zoo, who remains hopeful about one day receiving more pandas.
Twins touch down safely in China
The twins left Japan on Tuesday. Lei Lei seemed restless inside her crate before taking off from Narita Airport east of Tokyo. But Xiao Xiao, munching on a carrot, seemed quite content.
The four-year-olds landed in China's Sichuan Province early on Wednesday. The officials who welcomed them wore personal protective equipment to avoid spreading any viruses. A banner at the airport read, "Welcome Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei."
The China Wildlife Conservation Association soon released a statement saying the twins had arrived safely.
Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were then sent to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda. Some of their most devoted fans from Japan travelled there to see them enter their new home.
They included one woman from Tokyo. "I'm so relieved the pandas made it here safely," she said.
Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei will now enter quarantine. And after a settling in period, they will be on public display. Their mother and older sister live at the same facility.
A flurry of furry diplomats
Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei's departure means Japan is panda-less for the first time in more than half a century. The first two arrived from China in 1972 as a gesture to mark the normalization of diplomatic ties.
China has been loaning pandas to other countries for years, and being on the receiving end is widely seen as an indicator of positive bilateral ties.
Officials in Beijing are stepping up their so-called panda diplomacy. There are currently about 40 of the animals overseas, but that figure is set to grow.
Two pandas will soon be heading to France. The announcement came during a summit in December between President Xi Jinping and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron.
South Korea and China are moving towards a new panda loan, while there are also plans to send some to Germany.
Two pandas have been on display near the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur since January 10. They arrived after the Southeast Asian country returned another pair to China last May.
Crowds are flocking to see the new pair. Even Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has paid them a visit.
Chee Meng Tan, an assistant professor of business and economics at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, says it shows that Beijing sees Southeast Asia as an important hub to "continuously expand its economic prowess in the near future."
Japan's panda fans must wait
Many people are now wondering when, or if, Japan will get any more pandas in light of a recent dip in ties with Beijing.
China has been somewhat muted on the issue, simply saying the return of Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei was "carried out as scheduled." And a foreign ministry spokesperson said Japanese people are welcome to visit the twins in China.
Some Chinese media are being more frank about the issue. Comments include, "It's clear why we won't loan new pandas to Japan" and "The fault lies with the Japanese side."
The prospects of China sending any more pandas to Japan appear slim. At least for the time being.
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