Japanese Reporter Asks, "Can We Have the Taiwan Pandas?" Chinese Official Calls It a "Vain Dream"

Japanese Reporter Raises Question About Giant Pandas
"Discussion of Animal Exchange... Nonsense and a Vain Dream"

Regarding the expectations of some Japanese lawmakers that the giant pandas residing in Taiwan will come to Japan, the Chinese side dismissed this as a "vain dream."

According to China National Radio on December 24, a question about the giant pandas was raised during the regular press briefing held that day by the Taiwan Affairs Office, China's agency responsible for Taiwan affairs.

Giant panda residing in a Japanese zoo. Photo provided for article understanding and is unrelated to the content. Photo by AP Yonhap News.

On this day, a Japanese journalist asked about the situation in which the last two giant pandas remaining in Japan are scheduled to be returned to China early next year due to the expiration of the contract between China and Japan. The journalist mentioned that some Japanese lawmakers have discussed the possibility of an "animal exchange" between the Taipei Zoo in Taiwan and a zoo in Japan.

In response, spokesperson Peng Qingan called this "nonsense and a vain dream." He explained, "The giant pandas in Taiwan were a gift from China in 2009," adding that they represent "an important achievement in the development of cross-strait relations." He further emphasized, "The pandas are extremely precious as they have brought deep affection, joy, and cherished memories to the people (compatriots) of Taiwan."

He also warned, "If certain groups advocating 'Taiwan independence' attempt to exploit the giant pandas as a political tool, they will face intense outrage and strong resistance."

Giant panda living in Taipei Zoo, Taiwan. Taipei Taiwan official website.

Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, the giant pandas at Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, will return to China in January next year. Once they leave, Japan will experience a "panda gap" for the first time since the normalization of diplomatic relations between China and Japan in 1972. The original schedule for the return of the twin pandas was February 20, but due to escalating political tensions between Japan and China, the date has been moved up.

The prevailing analysis is that the deterioration in China-Japan relations was influenced by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on November 7 about the possibility of intervention in the event of a Taiwan contingency. Recently, numerous Japanese media outlets have reported that crowds of fans eager to see the giant pandas before their return to China are flocking to Ueno Zoo, creating daily congestion in front of the zoo.