Japan last pair of pandas is set to return to China in late January, marking a symbolic end to a chapter of friendship as bilateral ties reach their lowest ebb in years.
The announcement that four-year-old Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei would head to China at the end of January – ahead of a February 20 deadline – was national news on Monday, disappointing a nation that has long had a love affair with pandas.
The twins were born in the zoo in June 2021 and have been a drawing card since their parents departed last year. Once they leave, Japan will be panda-less for the first time since 1972, the year it normalized diplomatic relations with China.
Last month, Beijing was angered after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a military response from Tokyo – and tensions are still high.
China, in what has been called panda diplomacy, has a history of loaning out pandas to reward its allies, though it has sometimes taken them back to express displeasure. Native to China, giant pandas typically return home after the loan agreement ends – and cubs born overseas are no exception.
Anticipating a flood of visitors until January 25, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei’s final viewing day, Ueno Zoo began restricting viewing at the panda pavilion to about a minute starting on Tuesday and will require online reservations starting next week. For the last 12 days, a lottery will be drawn to pick the lucky viewers.
France recently secured a loan a pair of pandas after president Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing in early December.
Last year, Australia received a new pair of pandas after its ties with China improved.