The joint research project on giant panda conservation between China and the United States is expected to make positive contributions to endangered species protection and deepen friendship between the two peoples, Foreign Ministry spokesman Li Jian said at a press breifing in Beijing on Tuesday.
Lin made the remarks in response to a press query about the China Wildlife Conservation Association's announcement on Saturday that a pair of giant pandas will be sent to the San Diego Zoo in the United States for a 10-year international giant panda protection cooperation project.
Yun Chuan, male, and Xin Bao, female, from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda have been selected and will be accompanied by experienced keepers and veterinarians to the United States.
"According to the agreement on giant panda conservation cooperation and research signed between China and the United States in February this year, giant pandas Yun Chuan and Xin Bao of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda have been selected and will go to the San Diego Zoo in the United States. Chinese and American experts have carried out many rounds of on-site assessment exchanges and will actively make preparations in accordance with the requirements and technical standards for international cooperation on giant panda conservation to fully guarantee the health and safety of giant pandas on their travel to and stay in the United States," said Lin.
He said the San Diego Zoo is the first institution in the United States to conduct cooperation and research on giant pandas with China and the two sides have achieved fruitful results in the protection, breeding, and disease control of giant pandas, with a total of six cubs delivered in six litters.
"We believe that with the China-U.S. cooperation and research project on giant panda conservation deepening, the cooperation and research capabilities in the field of endangered species and biodiversity conservation will be further improved, which will make positive contributions to endangered species preservation and promoting friendship between the Chinese and American people," Lin said.
Panda project expected to deepen China-US friendship: spokesman
