New pandas to revive ‘Panda Diplomacy’ between US and China

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C., bid farewell to its beloved giant pandas several months ago and now, “panda diplomacy” is set for a comeback as a new pair will be headed to California. The two chosen Pandas are Yun Chuan and Xin Bao who were recently met by officials from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance in China. In a press release on Monday, Megan Owen, Vice President of Conservation Science for the alliance stated that it was an honor meeting both pandas at Wolong and Bifengxia Panda bases and expressed excitement to care for Yun Chuan’s lineage which has strong connections with San Diego Zoo. Yun Chuan is a gentle 5-year-old male panda, while Xin Bao is an introverted female around the same age. The exact date of their arrival in California hasn’t been confirmed yet but this development signifies another chapter for “panda diplomacy” which has served as a symbolic representation of America’s relations with China since 1972.