BEIJING (AP) — San Francisco is the latest U.S. city preparing to receive a pair of pandas from China, in a continuation of Beijing’s famed “panda diplomacy.”
San Francisco Mayor London Breed announced the panda loan in Beijing on Friday, alongside officials from China Wildlife Conservation Association, or CWCA. It will be San Francisco’s first time hosting the beloved animals long-term — the result of a yearlong advocacy campaign, Breed said.
San Diego previously announced it was receiving two pandas back in February.
China is home to the only natural habitat for pandas and owns most of the black-and-white bears in the world. Beijing loans the animals to other countries as a tool for diplomacy and wildlife conservation.
“San Francisco is absolutely thrilled to be welcoming giant pandas to the San Francisco Zoo,” Breed said after signing a letter of intent for international cooperation on giant panda conservation.
Rural Entrepreneur Helps Farmers Live Better Lives
Pic Story of Raptor Rehabilitator in NE China
Peng Yan Leads Team in Developing USVs
Tibetan political leader ‘optimistic’ about passage of US bill on Tibet — Radio Free Asia
Inheritor Creates Ceramic Work to Celebrate Upcoming Asian Games
Innovating Rice Planting with Passion
US envoy to UN visits Nagasaki A
The seven tricks to banish greys
US, UK issue new sanctions on Iran in response to attack on Israel
Top Chinese diplomat meets WPK delegation in Beijing