Three large pandas boarded a 19-hour flight to China at the moment over fifty years after their species first arrived in Washington, D.C., the Smithsonian Nationwide Zoo. This can be a transfer that some specialists are saying is the tip of “panda diplomacy” as tensions between the U.S. and China proceed to develop.
“Panda Express” FedEx B777-FS2 airplane (N886FD), that’s carrying the three beloved DC pandas has taken off from the Dulles Airport (IAD) for the 19 hour journey to China.
It is the primary time in 23 years the panda exhibit on the Nationwide Zoo is empty.
🎥Joseph Olmo / NBC4 Washington pic.twitter.com/vMUJiawjF3
— FL360aero (@fl360aero) November 8, 2023
Pandas Head Again To China From Washington D.C.
“Goodbye, and bon voyage,” a Chinese language diplomat mentioned in a message to the pandas, who had been dwelling in Washington D.C. on mortgage from China, in keeping with Fox Information.
Mei Xiang, the feminine panda, was the primary to go away the zoo in a crate supplied by FedEx. She was later joined by male Tian Tian and their 3-year-old son Xiao Qi Ji, every of whom have been in their very own crates.
“The three family members are all in good health and ready for the flight,” the Chinese language diplomat mentioned in his full feedback. “As a diplomat in Washington, I say goodbye and bon voyage. As a Chinese government official, I say welcome back.”
Earlier than the pandas left, Nationwide Zoo Director Brandie Smith gave a farewell speech for them, describing this as a “hard morning” emotionally.
“It’s a moment of joy because this is one more step in 50 years of a successful giant panda conservation program, and hopefully the beginning of 50 more years,” Smith mentioned, in keeping with NBC Washington. “Please know the future is bright for giant pandas. We remain committed to our program, and we look forward to celebrating with all of you when pandas can return to D.C.”
❤️🐼 Whether or not he was somersaulting down a snow-covered hill, splashing in a bathtub crammed with suds or snacking on bamboo shoots, large panda Tian Tian captured the hearts of thousands and thousands together with his chill and goofy persona. We want him protected travels to China. #PandaStory @smithsonian pic.twitter.com/tDxRyQ7DsI
— Nationwide Zoo (@NationalZoo) November 8, 2023
Associated: China Shopping for American Farms Is So Harmful Even Senator John Fetterman Will get It
American Panda-Lovers Say Goodbye
Assist Conservative Voices!
Signal as much as obtain the newest political information, perception, and commentary delivered on to your inbox.
The Nationwide Zoo had saved the pandas’ departure date a secret, solely revealing to the general public that they might be leaving earlier than mid-November. It was not till early Wednesday morning that the zoo confirmed that the animals can be leaving at the moment, however guests nonetheless got here to say their goodbyes.
“We are just sending good wishes with them on their travels,” mentioned one lady, with a bit of boy who was clutching his personal toy panda including, “I’m gonna cry when they leave.”
I normally watch the panda cam for stress reduction, now that the pandas are going again, I can’t do it anymore https://t.co/YiDCLi7UOX
— gemuk macam (@dugongterkapar) November 8, 2023
The Nationwide Zoo web site states that this program started in 1972 after “First Lady Patricia Nixon mentioned her fondness for giant pandas to Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai.”
“As a gesture of goodwill following President Nixon’s seminal state visit, Premier Enlai gifted two giant pandas to the American people,” the zoo continued. “Nestled in the Nation’s Capital and with free admission, the President and Mrs. Nixon selected the Smithsonian’s National Zoo as the home for the giant panda bears.”
As we speak, March 16, is #NationalPandaDay and the birthday of former First Girl Patricia Nixon. Mrs. Nixon was instrumental in large pandas coming to @NationalZoo. At dinner in Beijing, China in Feb. 1972, Mrs. Nixon talked about her fondness for pandas to Premier Zhou Enlai. #GP50 pic.twitter.com/7H94IbvyzD
— Nationwide Zoo (@NationalZoo) March 16, 2022
Associated: Pentagon Shifts Fight Coaching, Signaling Preparations for Warfare With China, Russia, Main Powers
Finish Of ‘Panda Diplomacy’
Dennis Wilder, a senior fellow at Georgetown College’s Initiative for U.S.-China Dialogue on World Points, described this transfer as “punitive panda diplomacy,” declaring that two different American zoos have misplaced their pandas to China lately.
Different specialists are saying that this marks the tip of “panda diplomacy” amidst tensions between the U.S. and China.
“There’s no doubt that this is a reflection of the state of bilateral relations,” Yun Solar, a China skilled on the Stimson Heart, a international affairs assume tank instructed Politico. “The pandas are supposed to unify the relationship with the United States, and the relationship between the U.S. and China is so bad anyway, what’s the point of the panda being here?”
After greater than 20 years of “panda diplomacy,” Washington’s well-liked pandas are being returned to China. pic.twitter.com/ucueA3t6iN
— ABC Information (@ABC) November 8, 2023
This all simply goes to point out how a lot instances have modified for the reason that days of unity between the U.S. and China. What do you concentrate on this? Tell us within the feedback part.
Now could be the time to help and share the sources you belief.
The Political Insider ranks #3 on Feedspot’s “100 Best Political Blogs and Websites.”