China will send two giant pandas to the United States under a new 10-year conservation agreement, Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press briefing in Beijing on Friday.
The China Wildlife Conservation Association signed an international cooperative research agreement on giant panda conservation last year with Zoo Atlanta in the U.S.
Under the agreement, a pair of giant pandas, Ping Ping (male) and Fu Shuang (female), from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding will travel to the U.S. to begin a 10-year cooperation program on giant panda conservation.
"The giant panda is China's national treasure and also serves as envoy and bridge of friendship for people around the world. We believe that the new round of China-U.S. giant panda conservation cooperation will make fresh contributions to promoting the health and well-being of giant pandas, enhancing conservation capacity for the panda species, advancing global biodiversity protection, and strengthening friendship between the Chinese and American people," Guo said.
Two giant pandas to go to US under new agreement
China's planned removal of tariffs on African products has opened an unprecedented opportunity for Moroccan potters, who are already adapting their ancestral craftsmanship to win over the Chinese market.
China will implement zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, starting May 1, 2026.
In a local pottery market in Rabat, Morocco's capital, artisans are busy fulfilling orders for decorated plates, colorful tagines, and handcrafted vases, hoping that the tariff elimination will further ease their access to China's vast consumer market.
"Pottery has a rich history, and we are committed to preserving this traditional craft. What keeps us going is the support of customers from Morocco and abroad. With the recent opening of the Chinese market and the possibility of exporting our products tariff-free, our creations can now reach that immense market, something that truly delights us," said Youssef El Rahamli, a Moroccan artisan and exporter.
For him, opening up to China represents a significant milestone. Foreign demand has allowed him to increase production and hire more workers. In his workshop, several young people are now working to shape and decorate pieces destined for export.
According to Rahamli, the zero-tariff policy could reduce costs and make Moroccan pottery more competitive, offering new income opportunities for local artisans.
Economists say they believe that easier access to the Chinese market could create new opportunities for Morocco's traditional industries.
"So I believe this measure presents real opportunities for Moroccan companies, because it will enhance the competitiveness of exporters. There will surely be an increase in export volumes, particularly for agricultural products, phosphates and their derivatives, industrial goods, and artisanal products. But all of this depends on Moroccan exporters' ability to improve their offerings and services, diversify exports, and move toward high-value-added exports. And, of course, it is also important to adopt a digital-focused trade strategy and strengthen their presence at trade fairs in China to reach Chinese consumers," said Khalid Achibane, a Moroccan economic expert.
China's tariff removal opens door for Moroccan potters
