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.
With QB Cousins joining strong foundation on offense, Falcons may target edge rusher in NFL draft
Luxon assures Ukraine's Zelensky of New Zealand's 'strong' support
Palestinian American poet Fady Joudah receives $100,000 prize
Parliament repeals Fair Pay Agreements
Week in Politics: Government's year starts with a problem
'Thank you Bob': Search for plane's blown
'It's a deliberate strategy to erase us' – Whanganui iwi prepare for national hui
Seager's RBI groundout and Taveras RBI single lead the Rangers over the Tigers 9
The royals have historically been tight