Panda Diplomacy: A Mayor’s Quest To Bring Pandas From China To Hawaiʻi
Summary
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi traveled to China to begin discussions about bringing giant pandas to the Honolulu Zoo. This process involves high-level Chinese approval, including from President Xi Jinping, and requires a significant annual fee and diplomatic cooperation between the U.S. and China.Key Facts
- Mayor Blangiardi traveled to China with his wife for 10 days to meet Chinese officials about getting pandas for Honolulu Zoo.
- The trip cost about $30,000, covered by taxpayers.
- Bringing pandas from China involves a lease agreement and approval from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- The annual fee to host pandas is expected to be at least $1 million.
- Pandas are important diplomatic symbols and represent China internationally.
- Only two zoos in the U.S. currently have giant pandas.
- Honolulu Zoo hopes pandas will increase visitors and help improve the zoo.
- Honolulu must prove it can care for pandas well and maintain good U.S.-China relations for success.
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