The “Giant Panda Xiang Xiang Family Birthday Celebration” was jointly hosted by the China National Tourist Office in Tokyo and the China Cultural Center in Tokyo.
The event was attended by nearly 200 fans and enthusiasts of Xiang Xiang, including Ouyang An, Director of the China National Tourist Office in Tokyo, Kaneko Mikako, Deputy Director of Tokyo’s Ueno Zoo, and representatives from Sichuan Airlines’ Tokyo branch. In his speech, Ouyang An recalled the significant role that giant pandas have played as envoys of friendship in promoting people-to-people exchanges and scientific research cooperation since the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations in 1972. He expressed the hope that this birthday celebration would further enhance the role of giant pandas in Sino-Japanese friendship, inviting more Japanese citizens to visit China for exchanges and tourism, and contributing to closer ties between the two peoples.
Kaneko Mikako shared Ueno Zoo’s efforts and achievements in giant panda conservation and research. She emphasized that panda protection is a complex and long-term endeavor requiring both scientific breeding and continuous habitat conservation, hoping the event would inspire more Japanese people to support panda protection.
As Xiang Xiang turned eight on the event day, attendees revisited touching moments from her and her family members’ (mother Xian Nu, father Bei Li, brother Xiao Xiao, and sister Lei Lei) growth. During the celebration, the hosts introduced the latest information on China’s inbound tourism, such as the 30-day visa-free policy, optimized entry-exit procedures, payment facilitation, and rich cultural and tourism resources. Sichuan Airlines presented its latest flight routes between China and Japan, inviting Japanese tourists to visit Sichuan to experience China’s remarkable achievements in giant panda research and conservation and the unique charm of the province.
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