San Francisco's Mayor Attempts Panda Diplomacy

Daily Dumpling: San Francisco's Mayor Attempts Panda Diplomacy

San Francisco Mayor London Breed, facing re-election, has proposed revitalizing the city with ideas like a soccer stadium, a new college, and night markets. Now, she aims to bring giant pandas from China to the San Francisco Zoo, with hopes of boosting the city's economy and her own popularity. This move contrasts with the recent return of pandas from the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. The plan is pending fundraising for a panda enclosure, and the city hopes to welcome the pandas by early next year. The initiative was pushed after President Xi Jinping of China expressed interest in continuing the panda partnership with the United States, particularly singling out California. However, the San Francisco Zoo has faced scrutiny over its operations in the past, and the mayor's delegation to China also aimed to secure more direct flights from China to San Francisco. The city not only seeks to host a pair of pandas but also hopes for panda cubs, signaling a potential long-term commitment to these beloved animals.

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