Chinese Pandas Leave Japanese Zoo

Twin pandas, Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei, are returning to China from the Ueno Zoo in Tokyo, Japan, after being on loan as part of China's panda diplomacy program. The pandas' departure, though planned, comes amid rising tensions between Japan and China, stemming from comments made by Japan's prime minister regarding potential military intervention in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. The zoo saw a surge in visitors wanting to bid farewell to the pandas before their departure on Tuesday, with many participating in a lottery for a chance to see them. China has also warned against travel to Japan and restricted Japanese seafood imports, suggesting that Japan may remain panda-free for the foreseeable future. Panda diplomacy has been used by China for centuries, with historical records indicating the practice dating back to the Tang Dynasty.

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