San Diego Zoo to Receive New Pair of Pandas from China

San Diego Zoo is gearing up to welcome a new pair of giant pandas from China later this year, marking the resurgence of a symbolic diplomatic gesture known as “panda diplomacy,” which had waned in recent years amidst heightened tensions between the United States and China.

According to the Associated Press, if all necessary documentation and requirements are met, the pandas will arrive at the California Zoo later this summer. The zoo is expecting to receive two pandas, one male and one female, following the return of the last pandas that lived at the San Diego Zoo back to China in 2019.

The dwindling number of pandas in U.S. zoos reflects the strained relations between Beijing and Washington. Both the Memphis Zoo and the National Zoo in Washington D.C. returned their pandas to China last year after the expiration of their loan agreements. Currently, only four pandas remain in the United States, all housed at Zoo Atlanta, with their loan agreement set to expire later this year.

Chinese President Xi Jinping highlighted the significance of pandas as envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples during an event in San Francisco last year. He expressed readiness to continue cooperation with the United States on panda conservation.

The history of panda diplomacy dates back to 1972 when the first pandas were sent to the U.S. from China following President Richard Nixon’s visit, signaling a thaw in relations. This form of diplomacy grew over the decades, with Beijing lending pandas to zoos worldwide, typically on 10-year contracts. However, tensions between the U.S. and China, coupled with the recent repatriation of pandas from American zoos, raised speculation about China scaling back its panda diplomacy with the U.S.

During his visit to San Francisco, Xi hinted at the possibility of the San Diego Zoo hosting pandas once again, stating, “I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back.” He reiterated his government’s commitment to fulfilling the wishes of Californians to deepen friendly ties between the two nations.