“Munich will become Panda City!” declared Bavaria’s Minister-President Markus Söder this week at the signing ceremony of a conservation agreement which will see Hellabrunn Zoo host two giant pandas.
The pandas will leave China’s Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and arrive in Germany in early 2028, giving the zoo time to construct a brand- new 5,000m2 state-of-the-art enclosure.
Conservation fees and costs associated with setting up the exhibit will be covered jointly by the Bavarian and Munich authorities, according to reports.
‘Unique attraction’
While touted as a win for conservation of the endangered species, the announcement also carries weighty political implications just two months after German Vice-Chancellor Lars Klingbeil concluded his visit to China.
Describing the upcoming exhibit as a “unique attraction and a magnet for visitors,” Söder noted that Munich will become just the eighth city in the EU to host pandas.
“Germany will then be the only state in Europe that has two panda locations in one country,” he added, with Berlin Zoo hosting two pandas of its own.
Only 19 zoos worldwide host the 51 pandas outside of China, mostly on loan through ‘panda diplomacy’.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: https://newsjustnews.com/good-boy-dog-indy-wins-astra-acting-award-but-not-everyones-happy-about-it/
What is panda diplomacy?
The giant panda’s natural habitat lies entirely within Mainland China, and the government considers every panda as belonging to China – meaning they are able to recall the animals at any time.
Countries and zoos wanting to receive or keep their pandas require favourable relations with China.
Japan will see its last two pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, return to China on Tuesday, leaving the nation panda-less for the first time in over 50 years.
The withdrawal comes as ties between the countries soured after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi refused to rule out military action if China were to attempt a forceful takeover of self-ruled island Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province it must reclaim.
As we enter a grey area of political instability, these pandas offer – for zoo-goers and political commentators alike – a rare glimpse at something rather black and white.
READ NEXT: https://newsjustnews.com/film-news-76th-berlin-film-festival-reveals-lineup/
Shameeka Voyiya 
KC Maderia 
Newsjustnews writers