Photo by Hanson Wong
San Francisco is preparing to welcome a pair of pandas as a gesture of goodwill and respect. Mayor London Breed recently traveled to Beijing, where she met with senior officials and signed a deal for China to send the pandas to the San Francisco Zoo next year.
Members of the delegation who accompanied Mayor Breed, including Mark Young, co-founder of Stand With Asians, spoke to AsAmNews about the significance of the agreement. Young emphasized the historical importance of "Panda Diplomacy" in fostering positive relations between nations.
The groundwork for the panda deal was laid during a meeting between Mayor Breed and China's President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit last year. Breed received an invitation from President Xi to visit China, which led to her recent trip along with a delegation that included individuals with roots in China and leaders from the San Francisco Chinatown community.
During their nine-day trip, Mayor Breed and the delegation visited five cities, including Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijing, and Shanghai. The mayor was particularly interested in Shenzhen due to its similarities to San Francisco in terms of investment in the tech industry. In Shanghai, they celebrated the 45th anniversary of the sister city relationship between San Francisco and Shanghai. The trip concluded in Beijing, where Mayor Breed successfully secured the panda deal.
According to Jaynry Mak, a member of the delegation, the meetings in China were marked by mutual respect and cooperation. Mak highlighted the significance of the meetings with various city mayors and the Vice President of China as a testament to San Francisco's proactive approach to international relations.
Mark Young echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of cultural diplomacy in fostering global cooperation. He praised San Francisco's efforts to strengthen ties with China and highlighted the economic benefits and cultural significance of the panda deal for the city.
Mak believes that the arrival of the pandas will not only boost the city's economy but also serve as a source of pride for the Chinese American community in San Francisco. The pandas can also act as a cultural bridge for Chinese immigrants, providing a link to their heritage and fostering a sense of connection to their homeland.
Overall, the panda deal represents a positive step in strengthening the relationship between San Francisco and China. It underscores the value of mutual respect, cooperation, and cultural exchange in building lasting partnerships between nations.
