As French President Emmanuel Macron, currently visiting China, traveled from Beijing to Sichuan—the homeland of giant pandas—on the evening of the 4th, the China Wildlife Conservation Association announced that it has signed a new letter of intent on continuing international cooperation on giant panda conservation with France's Beauval Zoo. A new pair of giant pandas is scheduled to arrive at Beauval Zoo in 2027, with a cooperation period of ten years.
Media such as Shangguan News and other Chinese outlets have reported the above information. Macron arrived in Beijing on the 3rd for a three-day state visit. During a joint media appearance on the 4th, Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that the two countries will promote cultural exchanges and launch a new round of cooperation on the conservation of giant pandas.
Both sides have agreed to maintain close communication and, in accordance with the requirements and technical standards of international cooperation for giant panda conservation, to advance the early formal signing of the extension cooperation agreement.
The report mentioned that the giant pandas "Huan Huan" and "Yuan Zi," who had previously resided at Beauval Zoo in France, have already returned to Sichuan's Chengdu Giant Panda Base last month. Huan Huan and Yuan Zi were originally scheduled to remain in France until January 2027, but had to return earlier because Huan Huan was diagnosed with kidney failure. Their twin cubs, "Huan Li Li" and "Yuan Du Du," will continue to stay in France until January 2027, when the project ends.