China offers France a new pair of pandas (what is Beijing's panda diplomacy)

2025-12-05 17:11:35Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
China offers France a new pair of pandas (what is Beijing's panda
Panda

France will receive two new giant pandas from China, in an agreement reached during French Prime Minister Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Beijing.

The China Wildlife Conservation Society announced that a pair of pandas would arrive at the Beauval Zoo in Saint Aignan, France, in 2027, after signing the relevant document.

A new collaboration between France and China to protect Giant Pandas will last 10 years, after two young animals still living in France were returned to the People's Republic.

Macron visited Beijing and the southwestern province of Sichuan, the main habitat of pandas.

China's panda breeding center is located in the provincial capital, Chengdu.

Animal rights activists have generally criticized the keeping of pandas in zoos, arguing that this was often associated with behavioral disorders and a lack of socialization.

Beijing practices so-called "panda diplomacy," lending bears to friendly countries.

Countries that have pandas in their zoos tend to have stable and long-term relationships with Beijing.

For example, Germany has a panda enclosure in one of the Berlin zoos.

The animals are considered popular attractions for the zoo, while serving as ambassadors for China.

In Chengdu, Macron met again with Chinese President Xi Jinping for informal talks.

It is very rare for Xi to accompany a visitor from a foreign country inside China.


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