Giant panda Yuan Meng of the Beauval Zoo is an "envoy of friendship" between the people of China and France, and a shining example of the "mutual understanding and affinity between the two countries", said Lu Shaye, China's ambassador to France.
Yuan Meng — the first giant panda ever born in France — is scheduled to leave the zoo in Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher on Tuesday and board a plane from Paris to Chengdu in Southwest China's Sichuan province.
His parents, mother Huan Huan and father Yuan Zi, were transported to the zoo in central France in January 2012 from Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, marking the start of a 10-year collaborative conservation research project between the Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens and the Beauval Zoo.
Yuan Meng, whose name means "dream come true", was born through artificial insemination on Aug 4, 2017.
"Many French and European people got to know and like China through Yuan Meng," said Lu, who first visited the giant panda and his parents at the zoo on Aug 26, 2019, a few weeks after arriving in Paris in his present capacity.
The ambassador recalled the heartwarming story of a 10-year-old French girl, Ninon Vermay, with a genetic disease, whose dream of visiting the Chengdu panda base came true in May thanks to the help extended by institutions and people of both countries.
The family was overwhelmed by the hospitality they received in China and the country's natural beauty, and the little girl said she couldn't wait to share stories back in school about her memorable trip.
This touching story about strangers in China and France coming together to fulfill Ninon's dream of visiting giant pandas in Chengdu is a testament to how people of both nations are united by a sense of common humanity, Lu said.
"Virtues shared by humanity such as kindness, hospitality and universal love can break the barriers of border, language and culture," he said, adding that giant panda conservation helps stir up these wonderful feelings.
Since he was born, Yuan Meng has been the darling of the French people, drawing millions of visitors to the zoo annually, and boasting scores of fans on the zoo's social media platforms. Many fans visit the zoo to celebrate his birthday every year, and some even bring cakes.
In 2017, the beloved bear won the Gold Award in the "Panda Cub of the Year" category following online voting conducted by Giant Panda Global, an organization that promotes panda conservation work around the world. Two years later, Yuan Meng won the coveted "Panda Personality of the Year" award.
Lu noted that the name Yuan Meng was given by Peng Liyuan, wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, and French first lady Brigitte Macron.
"It carries the best wishes for the long-lasting friendship between China and France," the Chinese diplomat said, as he described French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife as Yuan Meng's biggest fans.
The French first lady, who is also Yuan Meng's godmother, told reporters during her visit to the zoo in May that she has known the bear since he was a cub, and every time she looks at him, she is overcome by a feeling of peace and happiness. She said she'll miss Yuan Meng when he leaves France, and expressed her desire to go visit him in China.
"President Macron has said he will make visits to China every year, and it is possible that Chengdu will be part of the itinerary during his next trip," Lu said.
According to China's giant panda loan agreement with other nations, cubs born outside the country must return to China to join the breeding and conservation program. Yuan Meng's return was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the past 11 years, China and France have seen fruitful results in their cooperation in giant panda conservation, making headway in artificial breeding programs.
While China sent experts to help with giant panda breeding, management and disease prevention, the Beauval Zoo provided medicines and equipment, including GPS collars, to the Chengdu base to support the release of pandas into the wild.
Unhindered exchange of technical expertise led to Yuan Meng's parents giving birth to twins — Huan Lili and Yuan Dudu — in August 2021.
Lu said that due to the excellent collaboration, the Sino-French agreement on giant panda research has been extended till January 2027.
"This (cooperation) fully demonstrates the firm willingness of China and France to join hands in wildlife conservation. ... It is of great significance to the conservation of endangered species around the world," Lu said.
