Li Qiang has announced a panda swap for Adelaide zoo, a diplomatic move long anticipated but timed to coincide with the first visit of a Chinese premier to Australia since 2017. Making the announcement at the zoo, Li said two new giant pandas would replace Wang Wang and Fu Ni, who have lived at the zoo for 15 years as the only specimens of their kind in the southern hemisphere. The popular pair’s residence as part of an international breeding program helped drive up attendance at the zoo but they have not produced offspring during their time in Australia.
Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup “[Wang Wang and Fu Ni] will return to China before the end of the year,” Li told reporters in front of Adelaide zoo’s panda enclosure. “But what I want to tell you is that we will provide a new pair of beautiful, lovely and adorable pandas as soon as possible.” The zoo’s director, Dr Phil Ainsley, said he was thrilled.
“This is a collaborative partnership that we’ve been working with China on the giant panda for over 15 years,” he said. “So we’re very, very excited to see this to be able to continue.” Ainsley said the giant panda’s conservation status had improved from “endangered” to “vulnerable” over the duration of the international breeding program.
“That’s something which we’re very proud of,” he said. ‘Twists and turns’ in Australia-China ties are over, Li Qiang say.