On May 29, 2024, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo held a media event to announce that it will start a new round of cooperation on panda conservation with China and welcome a new pair of giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao, by the end of the year. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng was invited to attend the event and delivered remarks. John and Adrienne Mars Director Dr. Brandie Smith of the zoo was present.

Ambassador Xie said that last November, we saw off Mei Xiang，Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji from here. Many American friends, especially children, were reluctant to say goodbye. A few days later, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to continue its cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples. Now Bao Li and Qing Bao, our new envoys of friendship, will fly over the Pacific and join the big family of the National Zoo. Ambassador Xie wishes Bao Li and Qing Bao safe travel and a wonderful time in the United States. 

Ambassador Xie said that China has all along been promoting ecological progress. Nearly 20 years ago, then Zhejiang Party Secretary Xi Jinping said “clear waters and green mountains are just as valuable as gold and silver”. Today, this has become a consensus in China. As a mega-biodiverse country and one of the first parties to sign and ratify the Convention on Biological Diversity, China has made biodiversity protection a national strategy, and has worked vigorously to build a beautiful homeland where man and nature live in harmony. To better protect pandas, we have established a Giant Panda National Park, with a total area of more than 2.2 million hectares. “The kingdom of pandas” is now a haven for many other rare and endangered species too. Today, the number of wild giant pandas in China has grown to nearly 1,900, and the species has been downgraded from endangered to vulnerable. This could not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of generations of Chinese panda conservationists deep in the mountains. It is also inseparable from international cooperation on panda conservation.

Ambassador Xie said that China has worked with 20 countries on panda conservation so far. The United States was among the first. Together, our researchers have successfully bred 17 panda cubs, and solved a number of technical challenges. The National Zoo is an important participant in the process. In 1972, it was exactly here that Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing, the first pair of giant pandas coming to the United States, made their home. Since we started the cooperation program with the National Zoo in 2000, positive outcomes have been achieved in panda conservation and breeding, disease prevention and treatment, and public awareness. This has both helped us better protect pandas and boosted our peoples’ friendship. The current round of cooperation will focus on prevention and treatment of major diseases, and protection of habitats and wild giant panda populations. 

Ambassador Xie said that giant pandas are national treasures of China, superstars at the National Zoo, and the favorite of many around the world. Now, with this latest round of panda conservation cooperation as China and the United States mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties, American friends will get to see pandas more often. Apart from Bao Li and Qing Bao, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao will head to the San Diego Zoo.

Ambassador Xie said that even before China and the United States established diplomatic relations, our cooperation on panda conservation had already begun. Over the past five decades, pandas have held a special place in the childhood memories of numerous Americans. Today, many of those happy kids have become grandpas, grandmas, dads and moms themselves. And they look forward to taking their kids to the zoo, to tell their stories with pandas and start new ones for their little boys and girls. Ambassador Xie recalled that when he posted on X in February that China and the National Zoo were in talks on panda conservation cooperation, a lady commented that “You don’t know what this means to us! I have a very happy 5 year old here in D.C.!” Two little panda fans from California wrote him several cute letters, proposing giving China grizzly bears to get pandas. The love for pandas stays unabated.

Ambassador Xie said that in Kung Fu Panda II, the soothsayer told Bao that it is who you choose to be that makes you who you are. For the wellbeing of both peoples and the future of the world, China and the United States should choose to be partners, not rivals. “Panda-huggers” should not be stigmatized. If there should be any protectionism, then let’s protect biodiversity, protect the only home for the entire humanity, protect a stable, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship, and protect a better future for the younger generations. Ambassador Xie encouraged everyone to care for China-U.S. relations just as they care for pandas, and jointly usher in a peaceful and prosperous future.

On the same day, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo released an official video to announce the return of giant pandas. In the video, First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden said that we can’t wait to celebrate this historic moment here in our nation’s capital. Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch III said that it is especially meaningful to have the pandas at the National Zoo, where people can visit them in-person for free or watch them on the Panda Cam with millions of people across the globe. Dr. Brandie Smith said that for more than 50 years, the zoo’s pandas have brought joy to everyone who has seen them and are one of our biggest conservation success stories. She also mentioned at the media event that giant pandas truly represent how great conservation outcomes can be achieved through great partnerships and with public support.

At the media event, the Panda Plaza was elaborately arranged, showcasing cute photos of Bao Li and Qing Bao and the "family tree" of the pandas who once lived in the zoo. Also on display were paintings depicting the happy life of pandas here before, new panda souvenirs and "Pandas Are Coming" placards. The staff also wore panda badges. The excitement was everywhere.

Since the beginning of this year, in order to welcome new giant pandas, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo has launched a project to renovate and upgrade the Panda Plaza, expanding the space for panda activities and equipping it with professional panda keepers, veterinarians and scientific research teams. The zoo also sent experts to China for exchanges, who visited Mei Xiang,Tian Tian, Tai Shan and Xiao Qiji which had previously returned to China.

The event was covered by more than 20 international media outlets, including Associated Press, Reuters, The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, NBC, ABC, CNN, CBS and FOX, as well as People’s Daily, Xinhua, CGTN, China Daily, China News Service, Dragon TV and Phoenix TV.