China has expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with Japan on giant panda conservation, marking a new chapter in cross-border wildlife protection efforts. Four giant pandas from Japan's Wakayama Prefecture will return to the Chinese mainland on June 28, leaving only two pandas at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo – both scheduled to return early next year.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun emphasized China's commitment to global partnerships in endangered species preservation, stating: "Protecting biodiversity requires international collaboration. We welcome joint efforts to ensure a sustainable future for these beloved symbols of ecological conservation."
The panda exchanges, rooted in decades of Sino-Japanese environmental diplomacy, highlight how wildlife conservation intersects with regional cooperation. With fewer than 1,900 giant pandas remaining in the wild, such programs combine scientific research with public education, attracting over 5 million annual visitors to Japanese panda facilities alone.
As climate challenges intensify, analysts note the growing economic and diplomatic significance of Asia's environmental initiatives. The returning pandas’ offspring will join China's national breeding program, which has successfully increased the captive population by 67% since 2011.
