"Macron to Meet Xi Jinping as Pandas Return to China: 'Hoping for New Pandas'"

"Scheduled to Visit China from December 3 to 5"
"Discussions on Key Current Affairs and Challenges for the Future"
Le Monde: "Due to the Return of the Giant Pandas"

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, will meet with President Xi Jinping of China.

On the 26th (local time), the French daily Le Monde reported, "President Macron is scheduled to visit China from December 3 to 5."

Emmanuel Macron, President of France, is giving a speech. Photo by AFP Yonhap News.

This will be President Macron's first visit to China since April 2023. Citing the French presidential office, the Elysee Palace, Le Monde stated, "This visit reflects President Macron's desire for ongoing and close communication with China." The Elysee Palace added, "France and China are strategic partners, and the meeting with President Xi will include discussions on international issues, areas of cooperation, key current affairs, and the challenges of our era."

Le Monde further explained, "As France will assume the G7 presidency next year, President Macron is expected to raise economic and trade issues with China."

A giant panda at a zoo in China. The photo is for illustrative purposes and unrelated to the content. Photo by TASS Yonhap News.

Le Monde particularly noted, "President Macron's visit to China is also related to the recent return of giant pandas to China." On the 27th, China’s China.com reported, "After sending the giant pandas back to China, the French side hopes to receive new pandas again."

Le Monde also mentioned that the panda pair, which had been living in France, returned to China earlier than planned. Huanhuan and Yuanzai, originally scheduled to return to China in 2027, were sent back on the 25th due to Huanhuan's diagnosis of kidney failure. AFP reported, "The plane carrying the panda pair also transported 180 kilograms of fresh bamboo and several water containers," adding, "The two pandas, both 17 years old this year, were sent to France in 2012 by China as a symbol of friendship diplomacy in the form of a loan."

An official from the Chinese Embassy in France stated, "Dear French friends, new giant pandas will return again in the future," and expressed confidence that "the beloved giant pandas will continue to serve as friendship ambassadors for the goodwill between France and China." The panda pair gave birth to a male cub in 2017, followed by twin female cubs four years later. The male cub, Yuanmeng, returned to China in 2023, similar to Korea’s Fu Bao, but the twin female pandas are expected to remain in France at least until January 2027.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.