On June 12, the “Giant Panda Xiang Xiang Family Birthday Party” was held in Tokyo, co-hosted by the China National Tourist Office in Tokyo and the China Cultural Center in Tokyo.
Ouyang An, Director of the China National Tourist Office in Tokyo, Mikako Kaneko, Deputy Director of Ueno Zoo, a representative from Sichuan Airlines’ Tokyo branch, and nearly 200 fans and enthusiasts of giant panda Xiang Xiang attended the event to celebrate her birthday.
In his speech, Ouyang An reviewed the important role giant pandas have played in cultural exchanges and scientific cooperation between China and Japan since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1972. He expressed the hope that through this birthday event, the giant panda would continue to serve as a symbol of friendship between the two nations. He welcomed more Japanese people to visit China for exchanges, leisure, and tourism, contributing to deeper mutual understanding and the development of China-Japan friendship.
Mikako Kaneko introduced Ueno Zoo’s achievements in the field of panda conservation. She emphasized that protecting giant pandas is a complex and long-term effort that involves both scientific husbandry and the continued protection of their habitats. She hoped that this event would further raise public awareness and support for panda conservation in Japan.
The celebration took place on Xiang Xiang’s 8th birthday. Attendees watched a touching retrospective of Xiang Xiang’s life and the growth of her family members, including her mother Shin Shin, father Ri Ri, younger brother Xiao Xiao, and younger sister Lei Lei.
At the birthday party, the organizers also shared the latest information about inbound tourism to China, including the 30-day visa-free policy, streamlined immigration procedures, enhanced payment convenience, and the wide array of China’s cultural and tourism offerings. Sichuan Airlines introduced updates on new routes between China and Japan and invited Japanese tourists to fly to Sichuan to personally experience China’s significant achievements in panda research and conservation, as well as the unique charm of Sichuan.