China News Service, Ya'an, March 10th: Japanese college students "visit relatives" with giant pandas in China: leaving their hearts in Sichuan
Author Wang Liwen Tang Qian
The Ya'an Base of the China Giant Panda Conservation and Research Center in Sichuan welcomed a special group of tourists on the 10th.
Some of them have personally witnessed the life of giant panda "Xiang Xiang" in Japan, and some continue to follow his every detail through the Internet.
"I am very happy to reunite with the giant panda Xiang Xiang and witness its growth." Kosaka Changran, a student at Japan's Waseda University, said that all the visitors, like her, are extremely looking forward to seeing Xiang Xiang.
On March 10, Japanese college students visited giant pandas in Ya'an, Sichuan.
Photo by Qiu Chuanhao
Giant panda "Xiang Xiang" was born in Japan in 2017. Its name came from a Japanese people's vote, which witnessed its love and welcome by the local people.
The "Hundreds of Japanese College Students See China" event came to Sichuan from the 9th to the 14th.
Thirty-nine Japanese college students from Japan's Chuo University, Fukui University, Tokyo University of Science and Waseda University came to Sichuan to visit "Xiang Xiang", hoping to deepen their understanding of giant panda conservation through this trip and unfold their stories with China.
At the Ya'an Bifengxia Base, the giant panda "Xiang Xiang", who has been carefully cared for by the staff, is wandering leisurely in the spacious outdoor activity space.
When face to face with "Xiangxiang", the visiting group raised their cameras to record precious moments.
On March 10, Japanese college students visited giant pandas in Ya'an, Sichuan.
Photo by Qiu Chuanhao
"'Xiang Xiang's' life in Ya'an can be said to be free." Meiya Shibata, a student at Chuo University in Japan, recalled that when he first saw "Xiang Xiang" in Japan five or six years ago, it was still a small one. The giant panda baby has now "grown up".
She said that "Xiangxiang" has a great influence in Japan, and it was the wish of many Japanese people at that time to see its beauty as soon as possible.
In 2018, Japanese college student Noko Todoroki queued up to see "Xiangxiang" who was less than 1 year old at Ueno Zoo.
She couldn't hide her excitement when she saw "Xiangxiang" again.
Noko Todoroki believes that "Xiangxiang" is a bond of friendship between China and Japan and builds a bridge for exchanges between the people of the two countries.
This visit has enhanced her understanding of giant pandas. She wants to share this experience with her family and friends so that more people can understand China's contribution to giant panda protection.
On March 10, Japanese college students visited giant pandas in Ya'an, Sichuan.
Photo by Qiu Chuanhao
"Compared with the 'Xiang Xiang' we saw in Japan, it is now more active and closer to nature." Gentaro Nishida, who saw "Xiang Xiang" three years ago, believes that "Xiang Xiang" lives in China. The environment is very friendly and maintains a suitable distance from humans.
If given the chance, he also hopes to visit more bases and see more giant pandas.
The accompanying giant panda photographer Gao Shiguibo is a "hardcore fan" of "Xiang Xiang".
Since "Xiang Xiang" met the public in 2017, he has insisted on going to Ueno Zoo to photograph giant pandas almost every day, and updated it in real time on his blog.
For him, giant pandas are like family and the "starting point" for his wonderful story with China.
Takahiro Takahiro said that although "Xiangxiang" has returned to China, its friendship with the Japanese people will continue to be passed on and carried forward, and he also looks forward to coming to China again to record its growth.
It is understood that the "Hundred Japanese College Students See China" event was hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Japan and the China Tourism Office in Tokyo.
The first stop will also visit Wuhou Temple in Sichuan, Tianfu International Animation City, Kofu Garden in Japan at the 2024 Chengdu World Horticultural Expo, and other places to enhance people-to-people exchanges between China and Japan.
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