After a pandemic-era extension, China is pulling its giant pandas from the United States, but there may be a change of heart. Xi Jinping, the Chinese leader, hinted at the possibility of returning the fur balls to Washington and San Diego zoos. Claiming that the pandas are “envoys of friendship between Chinese and American peoples,” it seems China may be open to renewing its cooperation with the United States on panda conservation.
This news comes just after the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington sent its pandas back to China, including Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji. The decision to bring the pandas home was made due to the expiration of a pandemic-era extension. However, with rising tensions between the United States and China, many Americans wonder whether geopolitical factors are influencing China’s decision to take back the pandas.
Currently, the only U.S. zoo with giant pandas is Zoo Atlanta, as the San Diego Zoo and the Memphis Zoo previously sent their pandas back. But Zoo Atlanta’s pandas are also expected to return to China soon. With the future of panda diplomacy hanging in the balance, officials at the National Zoo have stated that they plan to start talks with their Chinese partner to bring more pandas back, but have no intention of involving President Biden or the State Department in the matter.
