IN the lush enclosures of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, 50-year-old researcher James Edward Ayala leans in to observe 2-year-old panda cub Rong Shuo, whose name translates to Shining Chengdu. With gentle precision, he measures the cub’s paw size, part of a study tracking male pandas’ development. “I love working with him... It’s kind of symbolic of my relationship with the city,” Ayala, a U.S.-born scientist who has spent 15 years in Chengdu, southwestern China’s Sichuan Province told reporters in an interview. Pandas here aren’t just animals, they’re bridges between cultures, science, and people, according to him. Ayala, a recipient of China’s prestigious friendship award and a torchbearer for the 2025 Chengdu World Games, embodies the global collaboration behind panda conservation. His journey, from a New York zoo keeper to a contributor to China’s panda research, mirrors the species’ transformation — from an endangered animal to a cross-border cultural ambassador. A conservation success story with global ripples When Ayala first arrived in China in 2010, giant pandas were classified as “endangered.” Today, their status has improved to “vulnerable,” with wild populations rebounding from 1,100 in the 1980s to nearly 1,900 last year, according to data released at the Global Panda Partners 2024 conference. China’s efforts, including the launch of the Giant Panda National Park, are massive milestones for conservation. It shows how committed the government is to conserving its wildlife, he said, noting the Chinese Government’s increasing funding in research, national parks, and agreements to United Nations regulations regarding environmental laws. Today, 757 pandas thrive in global breeding programs, and this progress isn’t confined to China. “Conservation to me is no longer the responsibility of a single country,” said Ayala, citing international cooperation between the Chengdu base and both the U.S. National Zoo and Japan’s Adventure World as vivid examples. “We have great relations with our partners. We exchange scientists and benefit from different aspects of conservation work,” he said. Pandas as cultural diplomats Pandas transcend cultures, according to Ayala. He recalled a recent tour he led for German athlete Marcel Hassemeier — multiple World Games champion and fellow torchbearer for the Games at the Chengdu base. A first-time panda viewer, Hassemeier spent hours discussing panda anatomy and physiology with Ayala. “It’s interesting to see celebrities drawn to the science behind the cuteness,” he noted. Li Desheng, chief expert at China’s Giant Panda Conservation Research Center, echoed this sentiment. “Giant pandas are one of China’s best business cards. Overseas netizens know them intimately, dreaming of visiting Sichuan to see them.” This role as cultural ambassadors has deep roots. Li explained pandas’ global journeys unfolded in two phases — from 1957 to the early 1980s, China gifted 23 pandas to nine countries, each arrival sparking widespread adoration. As conservation took priority, China shifted tactics post 1982. It ended gifting but launched short-term leasing in 1984 and scientific collaborations in 1994, with all pandas and offspring remaining China’s property, thereby merging conservation with international exchange. In 2024, Tokyo panda lovers gathered for a fan-sharing event for Xiang Xiang, a Japan-born panda who returned to China a year earlier. Fu Bao in South Korea sparked a 2024 social media frenzy upon her homecoming, with South Korean and Chinese netizens sharing her antics. In early August, the Moscow Zoo celebrated pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi’s sixth year in Russia, sparking more Russian interest in China and its culture. Katyusha, the first giant panda ever born in Russia, celebrated her second birthday Aug. 24 at the zoo, where a week-long gala greeted visitors pouring in to honor the popular star. Booming ‘panda economy’ Beyond their diplomatic role, pandas have spawned a vibrant ecosystem spanning tourism, cultural creativity, and innovation. Chengdu’s panda base draws 10 million annual visitors, fueling a bustling local industry — from panda-shaped pastries to high-tech souvenirs. Take Hua Hua, a cub beloved for her endearing clumsiness. With 564,000 Weibo followers, her lifelike dolls sell for 1,000 yuan (US$140.02) each, and sales have surpassed 3,000 units. This demand has given rise to ventures like SeeU Panda — a simulated stuffed toy brand founded by panda superfan Liu Tao. “Pandas are an invisible, intangible source of emotional comfort,” Liu said. Today, SeeU Panda operates three factories with over 200 workers, including a core team of seven artisans. The company has sold more than 50,000 lifelike panda toys in over 50 countries and regions. For this panda birthday season, they are crafting woolly replicas using grade-A sheepskin for realistic texture and a silicone gel filling to add weight, aiming to produce adult-sized versions of Hua Hua and Meng Lan. “Pandas hold trillion-yuan potential for Sichuan,” notes Gao Fei, head of Chengdu’s Guozhiguibao Cultural Tourism Co., affiliated with the base, which offers over 1,000 panda-themed products. The city’s Panda International Tourism Resort amplifies this influence, hosting productions like the musical “Panda,” which won best foreign language musical at the 19th Daegu International Musical Festival last month in South Korea. Experts said these ventures do more than showcase panda IP’s commercial viability — they unlock its deeper artistic and cultural value, turning conservation stories into globally resonant narratives. Pandas, as China’s national treasure, have strong social media appeal, with posts about them consistently garnering exceptional engagement and likes, said Wu Dan, a Sichuan-based international communication expert. This, Wu added, vividly conveys the concept of humans coexisting harmoniously with nature, boosting China’s global standing in biodiversity conservation and galvanizing global consensus and action for sustainable development. (Xinhua) | 