Thousands Bid Farewell to Tokyo's Giant Pandas
(Photo: ©Tokyo Zoological Park Society/distribution via Xinhua)
Thousands of fans flocked to Ueno Zoo in Tokyo on Tuesday, with many in tears as they said their goodbyes to the park's two last giant pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, before their transfer to China.
An Early Departure
The announcement of the pandas' departure at the end of January, earlier than the initial date of February 20, sparked strong emotions and disappointment among the Japanese public, who are passionate about these animals. Although their return to China was long-planned, their departure from Tokyo holds deep symbolic significance, as Sino-Japanese relations are currently experiencing turbulence due to geopolitical tensions.
The relationship between the two countries remains marked by the statements of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who in November asserted that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan could lead to a military response from Tokyo, provoking anger from Beijing.
A Bittersweet Goodbye
Today, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei made headlines as television cameras captured crowds of visitors wearing panda-themed hats and bags, forming long lines from dawn. Born at the zoo in June 2021, the twins had become the park's stars after their parents' departure last year. With their departure, Japan will be without giant pandas for the first time since 1972, the year marking the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The Symbolism of the Pandas
Through its famous "panda diplomacy," China has historically lent these animals to reward its allies, while sometimes retrieving them to express discontent. As an endemic species of China, giant pandas typically return to their country of origin when lending agreements expire, a rule that also applies to cubs born abroad.
