For over half a century, the Giant Panda Exhibit has stood as a cornerstone of the Smithsonian National Zoo. Since their historic arrival in the United States in 1972 after President Richard Nixon’s landmark visit to China, they have symbolized the enduring relationship between China and the United States, captivating people from every corner of the country.
Unfortunately, even with their ever-growing popularity and extremely loyal fanbase, the three pandas that currently call the National Zoo home (Xiao Qi Ji, his mother Mei Xiang, and father Tian Tian) will be returned to China by the end of the year when contracts between the Chinese government and the Smithsonian are slated to expire. Agreements between the two have been renewed multiple times, most recently in December 2020, shortly after Xiao Qi Ji’s birth. However, another deal is not in the cards this year, and the pandas will return home after years abroad.
The Chinese government employs its sole ownership of the world’s giant panda population as a unique foreign policy tactic known colloquially as “panda diplomacy.” Pandas play a crucial role in the country’s geopolitical pursuits. Wherever pandas are sent, major trade deals, diplomatic outreach, and words of praise follow. They are loaned to approximately twenty-seven zoos across twenty-one countries, where they serve as “ambassadors.” Zoos often pay upwards of one million dollars annually to secure the privilege of hosting a giant panda. Despite the high costs and logistical difficulties of securing pandas, they remain popular attractions in zoos worldwide.
Speculation surrounds the pandas’ impending return, with some attributing it to escalating tensions between China and the United States. From tariffs and export controls to spy balloons and disputes concerning Taiwan and Tibet, the future looks grim between the two nations. Many zoo officials have denied these allegations, stating that “[d]espite the links to diplomacy, the negotiations are researcher-to-researcher and not based in politics” (NBC Washington) and that their “focus is on the immediate care of three individual animals” (Foreign Policy).
While the Smithsonian has not released any statements about when pandas will be returning to the zoo, the time between stays will be used to focus on the future of the panda program. Plans include improving the habitat, adding more structures, and enhancing air conditioning and smoke detection systems.
This farewell serves as a reminder of the invaluable contribution these pandas have made to the field of wildlife conservation. Their time at the zoo was spent making breakthroughs in panda reproduction, cub development, and habitat restoration. Their legacy of bridging cultures, bringing people together, and sparking curiosity will inspire Americans long after their departure.
For now, the zoo is preparing the pandas for a safe and smooth transition and wishing them a heartfelt goodbye as they prepare to embark on their journey back to China. Xiao Qi Ji, Mei Xiang, and Tian Tian will find their new home with the China Wildlife Conservation Association, marking the end of an unforgettable chapter in the history of the Smithsonian National Zoo.