On April 24, H. E. Mr. Zhou Wenzhong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in the United States made the announcement at the press conference held by the National Zoological Park that the Chinese Government has agreed to the extension of the loan of panda cub Tai-Shan. Ambassador Zhou's speech is as follows:

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

I am pleased to announce the following: The Chinese Government has formally agreed that the stay of panda cub Tai-shan at the National Zoological Park of the Smithsonian Institute shall be extended for two years. As an envoy of good-will from the Chinese people and a symbol of friendly cooperation between China and the United States, Tai-shan will continue to bring more happiness and delight to the American people, especially the Washingtonians, who care so much for him and give him so much love.

To those from the National Zoo who had worked so hard and attentively over the past two years to take care of Tai-shan, I want to say thank you for raising a healthy and robust cub and congratulations on your outstanding job. 

Breeding and raising Tai-shan accentuate the fruitful results of giant panda conservation and research of both China and the United States. Scientists from both countries has been working together on many giant panda research projects since 1994 and has made significant progress in the artificial breeding and raising, vaccine research and development, and establishment of gene bank. Three of the four pairs of giant pandas living in the United States have started families and the cubs are growing up very well. I hope that more panda cubs will join them in the not too distant future. They are living proof of the success and accomplishments of China-US cooperation in panda conservation.

 

Back in the homeland of Tai-shan, the Chinese Government and the various social sectors are investing huge manpower, financial and material resources into panda conservation. Over a decade of efforts are well worth it. There are now 55 giant panda reserves in China, covering 53% of the natural panda habitat and 70% of the wild panda population. The number of pandas living in the wild has increased form 1,100 to 1,590, indicating recovery and growth of the wild population. As the artificial breeding technology continues to mature, the number of pandas in captivity has also soared. By the end of 2006, the number of pandas in captivity increased to 218 compared with 161 in 2004.

The Chinese Government will continue to increase its efforts in the conservation of giant panda habitat. Our objective is to expand the reserves to cover over 90% of the natural habitat and to build corridors between reserves to enable gene exchange between wild populations. We will also experiment on returning pandas in captivity to the wild as supplements to the wild population, and continue our cooperation with scientists of all countries, the US included, in resource monitoring, eco-environmental research and disease prevention and treatment. Let us work together so that the lovely panda will live longer, healthier and happier.

The giant panda is a gift of nature for not only China but also everyone in the world. It is therefore the shared obligation and responsibility of everyone to preserve the giant panda and enable them to live healthily and to flourish. The Governments and peoples of China and the United States, especially the scientists, have cooperated fruitfully and scored remarkable accomplishments. There are many more problems and challenges facing mankind just like panda conservation. The strength of one country or one people is not enough. Governments and peoples of all the countries of the world should pool their strength in addressing the problems and meeting the challenges. So, let us join hands and work together for the welfare of all mankind and for peace and development in the world.