San Francisco to Receive Pandas for First Time in Decades, Mayor Breed Announces

Apr 19, 2024, 10:03 AM

San Francisco Mayor London Breed has successfully negotiated the arrival of a pair of giant pandas to the San Francisco Zoo, marking a significant development in U.S.-China relations through 'panda diplomacy'. The agreement, signed with the China Wildlife Conservation Association during Mayor Breed's recent trip to China, is set to bring the pandas in 2025. This marks the first time in decades that the zoo will host such rare animals. Mayor Breed also sought to strengthen educational and economic ties, including plans for a downtown university campus. This initiative aims to enhance cultural connections and boost tourism, leveraging the city's deep-rooted Chinese and API heritage. The pandas are expected to attract numerous visitors to the zoo, although some concerns have been raised about the zoo's readiness for such high-profile residents.