Assessment finds China's overseas pandas being kept in healthy condition

China's giant pandas living abroad are in good health, as indicated by the latest assessment conducted by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration.

The administration added that the collaborative research and conservation between China and other nations have led to several achievements, including the successful breeding of panda cubs and the publication of scientific findings.

The evaluation revealed that giant pandas living abroad are receiving proper care, according to the administration's on-site assessment of China's giant pandas residing in 19 countries.

The overseas institutions that have partnerships with China generally meet the requirements in terms of venue construction, feeding, care and disease prevention measures, the result showed. The result also said that some elderly pandas with health issues have received appropriate medical care.

The repatriation of pandas delayed due to the COVID-19 is being organized and giant pandas such as Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and Xiao Qi Ji, the giant panda family in the United States, are expected to return to China this year.

In 2000, Mei Xiang, female, and Tian Tian, male, were lent to the US. In 2020, they gave birth to a male giant panda named Xiao Qi Ji (meaning little miracle).

Since the 1990s, China has conducted giant panda conservation and research with 26 institutions from 20 countries to jointly protect the species, including the US and Russia. As a result, they have successfully bred 68 panda cubs.

Over the years, international partners in panda conservation have tackled various technological challenges in areas such as panda breeding, disease prevention and releasing them into the wild, the administration said.

They have published papers that have improved the health and breeding capacity of captive pandas, increased genetic diversity and extended their average life span, the administration said.

The international cooperation projects have trained over 1,000 individuals in the protection of giant pandas and other endangered wildlife.

To ensure the health and safety of pandas living abroad, the administration regularly conducts exchanges and dispatches expert groups for on-site inspections and assessments of all overseas cooperating institutions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chinese experts provided online guidance to ensure the smooth reproduction of pandas living in countries such as Singapore and South Korea, it said.

China's efforts in international cooperation and conservation research have not only ensured the well-being of pandas but also fostered stronger bonds among nations and enriched public education and cultural understanding, said Li Desheng, deputy director of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda.

"International cooperation and exchanges have not only helped overcome a number of technical difficulties in giant panda conservation and breeding, but also satisfied the desire of overseas people to see China's national treasures," Li said.

"While bringing joy to people all over the world, giant pandas promote friendly people-to-people exchanges and become a messenger of friendship between China and the people of other countries."

China is carrying out panda conservation cooperation and research with 19 countries. The total number of pandas living abroad has reached 63.