Post by : Meena Ariff

Thousands of visitors gathered at Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo on Sunday to say a heartfelt farewell to Japan’s last two giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, who are scheduled to return to China on Tuesday. The farewell event drew long lines, with some fans waiting up to three and a half hours just to see the beloved twin cubs one final time.

Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei were born in 2021 to their parents Shin Shin and Ri Ri, pandas on loan from China for breeding and research purposes. Their departure marks the first time since 1972 that Japan will have no giant pandas, symbolizing a pause in a decades-long tradition that began when the two countries normalized diplomatic relations.

The giant panda has long been a symbol of goodwill from China, which loans these rare animals to countries worldwide as a gesture of friendship. Despite being housed abroad, China retains ownership of all pandas, including cubs born outside its borders, and host countries pay a substantial annual fee for the privilege.

This farewell comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. The relationship has sharply deteriorated after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi declared that Japan would consider military involvement if China were to attack Taiwan. Beijing strongly opposes such statements and continues to view Taiwan as a part of its territory, not ruling out forceful measures to assert control.

As the diplomatic strain deepens, recent panda loans have also become entangled in trade negotiations and political gestures. China has imposed tighter restrictions on rare earth exports to Japan, increasing concerns over future cooperation, including the possibility of new panda loans.

For many Japanese visitors, the pandas represent more than just animals; they are a symbol of cultural and diplomatic ties. One mother shared that she had been bringing her son to see the pandas since he was a baby, hoping these memories would last a lifetime. Others expressed sadness and nostalgia as they witnessed the pandas’ growth and prepared to say goodbye.

With Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei soon heading home, Japan faces a rare moment without its cherished giant pandas, reflecting not only a change in its zoo’s residents but also a more complicated chapter in its relationship with China.

#Global News