Pubaobao Publicly Revealed After 70 Days... Tops Real-Time Search on Chinese Portal

Visitor Count Limited to Around 1,000
"No Health Issues, Adapting Smoothly"

The giant panda 'Pubao,' returned to China, was unveiled to the public after an adaptation period of about two months.

Giant panda 'Fubao,' returned to China last April, was unveiled to the public on the 12th at the Sichuan Panda Base after about two months.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 12th at 9:39 a.m. local time, Pubao appeared in the outdoor enclosure at the Shenshuping Base of the Wolong China Giant Panda Sanctuary in Sichuan Province. It has been 70 days since Pubao arrived in China on April 3 and underwent quarantine and adaptation. However, the number of visitors was limited to around 1,000.

Pubao's appearance that day was broadcast live across China through the Weibo (China's version of X) of the China Panda Protection and Research Center and various internet sites. The center also introduced what Pubao prefers to eat and his health status through a talk program with an anchor and a caretaker.

Pubao also attracted great attention on Chinese local online platforms. On Baidu, China's largest portal, the keyword "Pubao's business opening" ranked first in the real-time search list under the livelihood category. On the Weibo homepage, the phrase "Pubao is the size that can lie down anywhere" ranked in the top 10 popular searches.

The outdoor enclosure where Pubao appeared that day is located in the center of the Shenshuping Base, surrounded by a fence and covering an area of about 300 square meters (91 pyeong). It is designed as a garden with trees, bushes, and a small pond.

Pubao was born on July 20, 2020, between Lubao and Aibao, pandas sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 as a symbol of Korea-China friendship. He lived at Everland in Yongin and was loved under nicknames such as 'Yongin Pussi,' 'Princess Pu,' and 'Putuntun.' However, according to an agreement that giant pandas born overseas must return to China before turning four years old, Pubao was returned to China on April 3, 1,354 days after his birth.

After his return, allegations of mistreatment and poor conditions for Pubao in China arose among Korean and Chinese netizens. In response, Chinese authorities issued direct rebuttals and released videos of Pubao consecutively.

The China Giant Panda Protection and Research Center also held a press conference at the Shenshuping Base the day before, attended by Korean and Chinese media reporters, explaining that although Pubao experienced changes such as hair loss and discoloration, he is healthy and adapting smoothly to the Chinese base and the panda group.