Embassy celebrates 'Pandaversary' with US friends

To mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of giant pandas to Washington, DC, the Chinese embassy in the United States threw a "Pandaversary Night" party on Wednesday.

"Giant pandas are worthy ambassadors. They have much longer tenures than each of the Chinese ambassadors here, and they have much more fans than us," Chinese Ambassador to the US Qin Gang said at the reception to the applause from an audience of about 300 guests.

During the reception, the guests watched the documentary The Miracle Cub, which celebrates not only the second birthday of Xiao Qi Ji, but also five decades of China-US cooperation in giant panda protection and conservation. Xiao Qi Ji, meaning Little Miracle, is the newest giant panda cub of the Smithsonian's National Zoo.

The first pair of pandas, Ling Ling and Hsing Hsing, arrived at the zoo on April 20, 1972, weeks after then-US president Richard Nixon's historic China visit.

"Year by year, giant pandas have become an icon of mutual appreciation and friendship between the two peoples. In particular, the arrival of Xiao Qi Ji two years ago has brought us a happy surprise," Qin said.

Xiao Qi Ji was born during the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided with the plummeting of China-US bilateral relations to the lowest point in four decades.

Qin noted that the number of giant pandas in the wild in China has increased from several hundred 50 years ago to more than 1,800 through the tireless efforts of protection and conservation. 

"But sadly, 'panda-huggers' are endangered. Now, they need protection and conservation," he said in an apparent reference to the status quo of China-US relations, with hawkish US politicians increasingly seeking to compete with China.

Qin mentioned that in addition to Xiao Qi Ji, a panda born in the US, Kung Fu Panda was also made in the US, one of his favorite movies. "I still remember a line from it: Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it's called present!" he said.

"At present, we get together to cherish the wonderful gift of panda. We need more pandas, and we also need more 'panda-huggers'."

Over the past 50 years, giant pandas have bonded the US and Chinese scientists and animal care experts to work on a shared goal — saving the species from extinction.

In a video posted in April, the zoo said US and Chinese researchers have diligently worked to save and care for giant pandas in the wild.

It said giant pandas are much more than a symbol of diplomacy between the two countries. They are a conservation success story for the entire world.