Xiao Xiao and her sister, Lei Lei, the two twin pandas at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan
Two twin pandas from a Tokyo zoo are expected to return to China at the end of January, leaving Japan without any pandas for the first time in about 50 years. It is the so-called “Panda Diplomacy” that the Chinese have cultivated for decades.
The popular twin pandas at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo Xiao Xiao and the sister, Lei Leiwill return to their home country, in China, at the end of January.
Their departure will mean that Japan will no longer have pandas for the first time in half a century, and the prospects for replacing the two animals are not encouraging, at a time when relations between the two countries have deteriorated, note a.
Children of Chinese pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 at the Ueno Zoo, where they were raised, but as “borrowed by China” — and now have to be returned by February.
The parents, Shin Shin e Ri Riwhich China had loaned to Japan in 2011 as part of a breeding research program, returned to their country last year.
The first pandas arrived in Japan in 1972, when China sent two specimens of the species, Kang Kang e Lan Lanat the time when there was a normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, recalls .
When the pair of pandas were welcomed into the Tokyo Zoo, the then Chief Secretary of the Government, Susumu Nikaidohe called the zoo director and other people and said: “Whatever you do, don’t let them die”.
China has resorted to called “panda diplomacy” not only with Japan, but also with other countries, to whom they have offered these animals. In 1984, however, pandas were classified on the list of Species at Risk of Extinction under the “Washington Convention”, as one of the most threatened species, with international trade of these animals for commercial purposes prohibited.
As a result, the pandas at Ueno Zoo are no longer “gifts” and began to be transferred by “loan”for reproduction and research purposes.
According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the last day that the public in the Japanese capital will be able to see the 4-year-old twins will be January 25th. The Chief Secretary of the Japanese Government, Minoru Kiharahighlighted that pandas have long been loved by the Japanese and said he hoped that the friendship between the two countries would continue.
“Exchanges through pandas have contributed to improve the feeling public exchange between Japan and China, and we hope this relationship continues,” said Kihara.
Giant pandas are native to southwestern China and function as a kind of informal national mascot. Beijing lends them to other countries as a sign of goodwill, but maintains ownership of animals and any offspring that may be born.
As diplomatic relations between Japan and China worsened after the beginning of November to , Sanae Takaichihaving said that the Japanese armed forces could become involved if China took action against Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory.
Since then, China and cultural events and exchanges between local governments have been cancelled.
The dispute intensified this month when Chinese exercises involving an aircraft carrier off southern Japan led Tokyo to launch fighter jets.
Japan also protested because its aircraft had been the target of repeated radar blocksa maneuver that is understood as a possible preparation for missile launch.
