‘I lost part of my heart’: last of Japan’s pandas leave for China as ties fray
AI Summary
After 50 years, Japan is without pandas as the last two, twins Lei Lei and Xiao Xiao, returned to China from the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo. The pandas' departure, part of China's "panda diplomacy" program symbolizing friendship, comes a month before their loan period expires. Hundreds of Japanese fans gathered to bid farewell, expressing sadness over the departure of the popular bears. The repatriation occurs amid strained relations between Japan and China, following comments from a Japanese prime minister hinting at potential military intervention in Taiwan. While Japan is reportedly seeking a new panda loan, public opinion is divided, with a majority not supporting negotiations for a new lease.
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This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).
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