Feng Bang (枫浜), a female giant panda born in Japan, carries significant cultural and diplomatic importance, representing the success of panda conservation and the friendship between China and Japan. Born in Shirahama Adventure World in 2020, Feng Bang has captured the hearts of many with her adorable appearance and playful nature. Her journey from a tiny cub to an ambassador of goodwill highlights the importance of international cooperation in wildlife conservation.
Basic Information
- Name: Feng Bang (枫浜)
- Date of Birth: November 22, 2020
- Gender: Female
- Birthplace: Shirahama Adventure World, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan
- Father: Yong Ming (永明)
- Mother: Liang Bang (良浜)
- Siblings: Yong Bang (永浜), Long Bang (隆浜), Xing Bang (幸浜), Mei Bang (梅浜), Ying Bang (樱浜), Tao Bang (桃浜), Yang Bang (阳浜), You Bang (优浜), Cai Bang (彩浜), Jie Bang (结浜)
Growth and Development
Birth: Feng Bang was born weighing only 157 grams, making her the 17th panda cub born in Japan as part of the international panda cooperation program between the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding and Shirahama Adventure World.
Gender Identification: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding were unable to travel to Japan in 2020. As a result, Feng Bang became the first panda cub to be delivered entirely by Japanese staff without external assistance. Initially, her gender was announced as male at birth, but after careful observation, her gender was corrected to female on December 21, 2020.
Naming Process: Between December 2020 and February 2021, a naming campaign was held for the newborn panda. The campaign attracted 110,000 email submissions, with the names “Feng Bang,” “Guang Bin,” and “Xiao Bin” being the most popular choices. In the end, “Feng Bang” was chosen as the winning name, with the meaning that the panda cub would grow to be as beautiful as the autumn maple tree (枫) and live a life surrounded by love and happiness.
Naming Ceremony: Feng Bang continued to receive meticulous care from the staff at Shirahama Adventure World and quickly became a favorite among visitors. On March 18, 2021, during a grand naming ceremony, Wakayama calligrapher Kitahara Mei wrote the characters “枫浜” on a large 1.8-meter square piece of paper, officially bestowing her with her name.
First Public Appearance: On June 12, 2021, Feng Bang made her first public appearance. Her charming and clumsy behavior captivated the audience, and visitors immediately fell in love with her. This debut marked the beginning of her role as a beloved public figure, drawing crowds eager to witness the young panda in action.
First Birthday: To celebrate Feng Bang’s first birthday on November 22, 2021, Shirahama Adventure World hosted a birthday party, decorating the venue and presenting her with special gifts. The event was attended by Chinese Consul General in Osaka, Xue Jian, who conveyed birthday wishes on behalf of China’s Ambassador to Japan, Kong Xuanyou. A congratulatory message from the Chinese embassy titled “Goodwill Ambassador” was also presented to the zoo, underscoring Feng Bang’s role in promoting friendly ties between China and Japan.
Social Activities: In July 2022, Feng Bang was named the second-generation “Wakayama Dream Ambassador for Traffic Safety,” a role that expanded her influence beyond the zoo. As a public figure, Feng Bang contributed to raising awareness about traffic safety, further emphasizing her importance as a symbol of goodwill and cooperation.
