China-Japan cooperation on giant panda conservation and research plays important role in enhancing friendship: FM

When asked if China and Japan will continue their international cooperation on giant panda conservation as Wakayama's four giant pandas will soon return to China and Japan's only remaining two giant pandas in Tokyo's Ueno Zoo will also return to China in February next year, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Friday that giant pandas are a precious endangered wild species and are loved by people around the world. They are emissaries of friendship from the people of China.

China and Japan have established sound cooperation ties since our two sides carried out international cooperation on giant panda conservation and research and have had positive cooperation on giant panda breeding, research, technical exchanges and public education, Guo said.

Such effort has played an important role for enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between our two peoples, the spokesperson added.

"Looking forward, we stand ready to continue enhancing exchanges and cooperation with Japan and other partners in the world to jointly contribute to the protection of endangered species," the spokesperson noted.

Large crowds of fans gathered from the early morning on Friday, the last day the four pandas at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture, could be seen by the public before the animals return to China, the Japan News reported. 

The pandas, which were born and raised at the theme park, are scheduled to depart on Saturday, according to the report. 

About 1,400 visitors lined up on Friday morning, prompting the park to open an hour earlier than usual, the Japan News said.

After the pandas return to China, only two pandas will remain in Japan, both at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo. The two in Tokyo are also scheduled to return to China by February 20 next year, the Japanese media report said. 

People were seen taking pictures of the pandas, calling out their names and waving at them, NHK said. 

One visitor said she wanted her children to see the pandas one last time. Another person said she hopes the pandas will stay healthy and will be looked after well in China, according to NHK.