California: Governor and First Partner welcome new giant panda pair at San Diego Zoo
The Californer/10288020

~ San Diego, CA - The San Diego Zoo welcomed a new pair of giant pandas, Yun Chuan and Xin Bao, to their Panda Ridge exhibit today. This marks the first time in 21 years that giant pandas have entered the United States, making it a significant milestone for U.S.-China relations.

The two pandas arrived in late June as part of a collaborative conservation effort between the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and China Wildlife Conservation Association. In honor of their historic debut, Governor Gavin Newsom has proclaimed today as California Panda Day.

Prior to the public debut, Governor Newsom met with Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng to discuss the importance of this milestone for U.S.-China relations. This meeting follows Governor Newsom's weeklong visit to China last October where he met with President Xi and other high-level officials to advance climate action, promote economic development and tourism, and strengthen cultural ties.

During their visit to Panda Ridge, Governor Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom had the opportunity to meet Yun Chuan and Xin Bao at their new home. Yun Chuan is the son of Zhen Zhen, a female panda born at the San Diego Zoo in 2007, and the grandchild of Bai Yun and Gao Gao who lived at the zoo in the early 2000s.

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This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the conservation partnership between San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and China Wildlife Conservation Association. Through this collaboration, giant panda conservation has greatly advanced, leading to a downgrade in their status from Endangered to Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature in 2016. This partnership also helps further California's efforts towards protecting biodiversity through its 30x30 initiative.

"We are delighted to introduce Yun Chuan and Xin Bao to the world," said Paul Baribault, President and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. "Guests will have an opportunity to visit with these remarkable giant pandas, be inspired by their importance, learn about all we do to help conserve them alongside our trusted Chinese partners, and join us to help protect their future."

The state hopes that this conservation collaboration will lead to further exchanges and cooperation between California and China. This partnership has a strong foundation built by previous governors such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown, as well as the late Senator Dianne Feinstein. Governor Newsom also played a role in strengthening this partnership during his time as Mayor of San Francisco.

As part of the celebration, an original portrait of Bai Yun, Yun Chuan's maternal grandmother who lived at the San Diego Zoo for over 20 years, was unveiled. The portrait was created by California-based artist Shepard Fairey.

For more information on the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance's conservation efforts and opportunities to visit Panda Ridge, please visit their website.

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