In a poignant farewell, three black and white ambassadors of diplomacy—Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and their playful cub, Xiao Qi Ji—departed the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC. Encased in crates, their journey back to China took flight on a FedEx aircraft from Dulles International Airport at 1 p.m., drawing the curtain on over 50 years of the zoo’s storied panda program.
The Smithsonian National Zoo holds the proud distinction of pioneering “panda diplomacy” in the United States, making this departure more than a mere adieu—it’s a pause in a five-decade saga of panda fascination. As the pandas embark on their homeward-bound flight, the question lingers: Will this pause evolve into a new chapter, or is it the final note in a captivating symphony of panda diplomacy?
In a world where diplomatic relations are as unpredictable as the pandas are cherished, these national treasures find themselves entwined in the intricate dance of international affairs. The departure leaves Zoo Atlanta as the last bastion of US-China panda connections, and even their contract’s expiration next year raises the curtain on an uncertain future. The pandas, it seems, carry not just the weight of their roly-poly charm but also the echoes of diplomatic complexities between two nations.
Its origin traces back to the era of the Nixon presidency.
China acknowledges the cuddly creatures are used for its “major political and diplomatic needs,” especially in places where it hopes to gain more influence or closer relations. China says its focus is on conservation and research and says the US program has been productive.
“The two sides have formed good cooperative relations, achieved fruitful results and played a positive role in protecting endangered species,” said spokesperson Mao Ning of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The purpose is to better protect endangered species and promote global biodiversity conservation.”
Beijing’s panda diplomacy with Washington kicked off in 1972, following President Richard Nixon’s historic visit to China.
Chairman Mao Zedong’s government gave two giant pandas to the United States in a sign of warming bilateral ties after decades of diplomatic deep freeze.
First lady Pat Nixon welcomed the pandas to the nation’s capital, saying, “They will be enjoyed by the millions of people who come from across the country to visit the nation’s capital each year.”
Seeing the pandas’ popularity rise among Americans, China sent more of the cuddly and charismatic creatures to other zoos across the United States, eventually loaning them instead of giving them as a gift.
Altering diplomatic strategies.
The agreements between China and US zoos are a unique blend of diplomatic collaboration and financial commitment. Beijing asserts ownership of giant pandas, with payments mandated for conservation efforts in China.
The National Zoo annually contributes $500,000, and Zoo Atlanta, a stalwart participant since 1999, boasts a proud financial contribution exceeding $16 million.
Since the arrival of giant pandas in 1972, the National Zoo has been a hub of research, studying their biology, behavior, breeding, and more.
However, this longstanding collaboration faces challenges. Over the past decade, the thriving panda population in the US, once numbering 15, has gradually dwindled amid strained US-China relations. Recent controversies, sparked by claims of panda mistreatment from the Memphis Zoo, add further complexity to the diplomatic dance.
This diplomatic tension finds resonance in China, with perceptions of American assertiveness and comparisons with other countries hosting pandas. Looking ahead, if China refrains from sending more pandas and Atlanta repatriates its pandas next year, by 2024, Xin Xin in Mexico City may be the sole panda in the Americas, reflecting the ebb and flow of diplomatic relations through these beloved creatures.
Xin Xin, at the seasoned age of 33, stands as a cherished resident owned by Mexico at the Chapultepec Zoo in Mexico City.
Despite being considered elderly for a panda, Xin Xin continues to captivate visitors and is a main attraction at the zoo. With the anticipation of a potential surge in visitors, Fernando Gual Sill, the director general of the zoo, warmly invites enthusiasts, exclaiming, “For the time being, come to Mexico! In Mexico City, we have the fortune to have a panda and to see it and to enjoy it!”
Global Pandas: A Tapestry of Conservation
In the intricate dance of panda diplomacy, these bamboo-chomping envoys symbolize more than wildlife—they embody an intricate tapestry of friendship between China and host nations. Yet, as the United States witnesses a gradual departure of pandas, a subtle diplomatic shift may be unfolding.
Picture the iconic scene in 2019 as Presidents Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin stood side by side in Moscow, welcoming a pair of pandas to their new home in Russia. A year later, the cultural exchange extended to Qatar, receiving its first panda.
While 23 countries, including the United States, have participated in China’s panda loan program, the once-burgeoning numbers are on the wane. Scotland prepares to bid adieu to its panda duo in December, echoing Australia’s Adelaide Zoo, where the panda tenure counts down to its final year.
As the pandas embark on their journey back to China, the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding awaits—a haven where conservation triumphs have fueled optimism. The remarkable rebound in the panda population, removing them from the endangered species list, is a testament to these efforts, as reported by Zoo Atlanta.
However, the challenges persist. Despite the positive trajectory, the overall panda count in China, recorded at 1,864 in 2014, raises concerns about sustaining a viable population. A mere 61% of China’s pandas find refuge in reserves, their habitat threatened by logging, endangering the very tree hollows pandas favor for their dens—a poignant reminder that, beyond the diplomatic stage, the fate of these beloved bears intertwines with the delicate balance of nature.
Could we see pandas back in the United States?
Amid hopes of a potential return of giant pandas, the National Zoo staff is planning renovations for the soon-to-be vacant panda exhibit. Bob Lee, the director of animal care at the National Zoo, expressed optimism for the future, mentioning a submitted application currently under review by authorities.
In Atlanta, the panda habitat at Zoo Atlanta, which cost $7 million to build in 1999, may stand empty if the bears depart at the end of their contracted stay. Plans for the exhibit, including a welcome sign for the “Giant Pandas of Chengdu” and a panda-themed gift shop, remain unclear.
Reflecting on the initial arrival of pandas in Washington, a zoo visitor, Jane Mahalik, expressed hope that the current first lady, Jill Biden, might play a role in securing the return of the beloved pandas, noting how Pat Nixon was instrumental in bringing them to the United States.