China's giant pandas draw world attention from national treasure to global cultural icon

CHENGDU -- 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," James, a US-born scientist who has spent 15 years in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan province told Xinhua in an interview. Pandas here aren't just animals, they're bridges between cultures, science and people, according to him.

James, a recipient of China's prestigious friendship awards 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 in 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 James 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, and 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 James, citing international cooperation between the Chengdu base and 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 James. 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 James. "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 — ending gifts but launching short-term leases in 1984 and scientific collaborations in 1994 — with all pandas and offspring remaining China's property, 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 the Republic of Korea sparked a 2024 social media frenzy upon her homecoming, with Korean and Chinese netizens sharing her antics. Earlier this month, the Moscow Zoo celebrated pandas Ding Ding and Ru Yi's sixth year in Russia, sparking more Russian interest in China and its culture.

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 (about $140.02) each, with sales surpassing 3,000 units.

"Pandas hold trillion-yuan potential for Sichuan," notes Gao Fei, head of Chengdu's Guozhiguibao Cultural Tourism Company, 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 the Republic of 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.