Giant panda Fu Bao greets public on June 12, 2024, at the Shenshuping giant panda base in Wolong National Nature Reserve in southwest China's Sichuan Province, June 12, 2024. (Photo/Shen Bohan, Xinhua)
After over two months of quarantine and adaptation, the highly anticipated female giant panda, Fu Bao, made her official public debut Wednesday at the Shenshuping giant panda base in Wolong National Nature Reserve, Sichuan Province, China.
Born on July 20, 2020, Fu Bao is the first cub of pandas Ai Bao (Hua Ni) and Le Bao (Yuan Xin), born in South Korea. She captured the hearts of the Korean public, sparking a wave of panda enthusiasm. At Everland, where Fu Bao resided, she attracted 5.4 million visitors, about one-tenth of South Korea's population. Panda-themed merchandise sales reached 2.7 million items, and videos of Fu Bao garnered 500 million views. A photo essay documenting her growth has also been a bestseller in South Korea.
People bid farewell to giant panda Fu Bao amid rain at Everland in Yongin, South Korea, April 3, 2024. (Photo/Yao Qilin, Xinhua)
On April 3, Fu Bao left South Korea, with around 6,000 visitors braving the rain to bid her farewell. Over the past two months, she has successfully adapted to transportation, quarantine, and her new habitat, showing stability and good health.
As the first naturally bred panda born in South Korea, Fu Bao has advanced Sino-Korean research collaboration in panda conservation and breeding. She serves as a goodwill ambassador, fostering closer ties between the people of China and South Korea.
This photo taken on Oct. 8, 2023 shows giant panda Xiang Xiang at the Bifengxia Giant Panda Base in Ya'an, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Photo/Chen Juwei, Xinhua)
June 12 also marks the 7th birthday of another beloved giant panda, Xiang Xiang. Born on June 12, 2017, at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, Xiang Xiang is the daughter of pandas Shin Shin and Ri Ri. Since returning to China in February 2023, Xiang Xiang has resided at the Bifengxia Giant Panda Base. She remains popular in Japan, with many Japanese fans continuing to follow her updates.
In November last year, a "family reunion group" consisting of 16 photographers, editors, and panda bloggers from Japan visited Sichuan to see Xiang Xiang. Members expressed that Xiang Xiang has sparked greater interest in China among the Japanese, hoping Chinese friends understand their deep affection for pandas.
Visitors line up to see giant panda Xiang Xiang at Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, Feb. 19, 2023.(Photo/Zhang Xiaoyu, Xinhua)
Fu Bao and Xiang Xiang's parents were both on loan from China, where the ownership of their cubs belongs. Following Xiang Xiang's return, Japanese travel agencies have launched popular panda-themed tours to China. Similarly, with Fu Bao's return, Korean travel agencies are promoting panda tours to China.
China's national treasure, the giant panda, is a global favorite. Their every move is captured by countless adoring eyes, creating cherished memories that warm hearts worldwide. As ambassadors of friendship from China, giant pandas have won fans globally.
China has long been committed to international cooperation in panda conservation. Each birth of a panda cub abroad results from deep collaboration and innovation by Chinese and foreign researchers. Guardians of giant pandas from various countries have worked together, achieving significant results in panda conservation, breeding, disease prevention and treatment, technical exchange, and public education, overcoming numerous challenges.
Giant pandas possess an endearing "superpower," sowing seeds of peace and love in people's hearts. In the profound integration between China and the world, these adorable creatures demonstrate a unique ability to connect hearts, bringing China's goodwill to people worldwide.