What is the Cost of Panda Diplomacy?

Giant pandas are a species unique to the rain forests of southern China. With few exceptions, all giant pandas are owned by the Chinese government in compliance with the 1973 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) that regulates cross-border trades of endangered plants and animals. Before 1984, China gave pandas to other countries as gifts as a gesture of goodwill. This became known as Panda Diplomacy. However, by 1984, the giant panda species became endangered. That’s when China chose to lease pandas for 10-year terms to zoos around the world.

Panda loans are governed by strict contracts. Fees for leasing a male and female giant panda are about one million dollars per year. If the leased pandas have a child, the baby belongs to China and must be returned to China within 2 to 4 years. This is in contrast to pandas that are given as gifts. In those cases, the pandas and any offspring belong to the country they were given to.

Here is a list of leased pandas, as of March 2025, including a short description of their status.

ASIA

Singapore Zoo, Singapore
• Kai Kai and Jia Jia came to the Singapore Zoo on 9/6/2012 for a 10-year period. Their contract was extended in 2022 for 5 more years. Their son, Le Le was Born 8/14/2021. He was returned to China on 1/16/2024.

Everland Zoo, South Korea
• Ai Bao and Le Bao: Arrived 3/3/2016.
• Rui Bao and Hui Bao (twin daughters): Born 7/7/2023.
Ai Bao and Le Bao first daughter, Fu Bao, was born on 7/20/2020. She was returned to China in April 2024.

Ueno Zoo, Japan
• Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei are fraternal twins who were born at Ueno Zoo on 6/23/2021. Their sister, Xiang Xiang, was born at the zoo on 6/12/2017. She was returned to China in 2/17/2023. Parents, Ri Ri and Shin Shin, are now back in China after living at Ueno Zoo from 2011 through 2024.

Zoo Negara, Malaysia
• Xing Xing and Liang Liang: Arrived 5/21/2014.
Their 3 daughters are all back in China: Nuan Nuan, (born 8/18/2015) returned in 2017; Yi Yi (born 1/14/2018) and Sheng Yi (born 5/31/2021) returned in 2023.

Taman Safari, Indonesia
• Cai Tao and Hu Chun: Arrived 9/28/2017.

EUROPE

Zoo Berlin, Germany
• Meng Meng and Jiao Qing: Arrived 6/24/2017.
• Twin daughters Meng Hao (Leni) and Meng Tian (Lotti): Born 8/22/2024.
Their twin sons Meng Yuan (Paule) and Meng Xiang (Pit) were born on 8/31/2019 and returned to China at the end of 2023.

Beauval Zoo, France
• Huan Huan and Yuan Zi: Arrived 1/15/2012, their lease has been extended until 2027.
• Twin daughters Huanlili and Yuandudu: Born 8/2/2021.
Yuan Meng, their son, was born at Beauval on 8/4/2017. He was returned to China in 2023.

Ouwehands Dierenpark, Netherlands
• Wu Wen and Xing Ya: Arrived 4/12/2017.
• Lang Yue (daughter): Born 7/12/2024
Fan Xing (daughter): Born 5/1/2020, returned to China in 2024.

Pairi Daiza Zoo, Belgium
• Hao Hao and Xing Hui: Arrived 2/23/2014. Their lease expires in 2029.
They have had 3 children: Tian Bao, born 2/2/2016; twins Bao Di (male) and Bao Mei (female), born 8/8/2019. All 3 children were returned to China in December 2024.

Copenhagen Zoo, Denmark
• Mao Sun and Xing Er: Arrived 4/4/2019 on a 15-year lease. They have had no offspring so far.

Helsinki Zoo, Finland
• Lumi and Pyry: Arrived 2/18/2018. They were returned to China early on 11/23/2024 because the zoo could no longer afford their upkeep.

Moscow Zoo, Russia
• Ru Yi and Ding Ding: Arrived 6/5/2019. Their daughter, Katushka, was born in 8/24/2024.

NORTH AMERICA

San Diego Zoo, USA
• Yun Chuan and Xin Bao: Arrived 6/28/2024.

Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington D.C., USA
• Bao Li and Qing Bao: Arrived 10/15/2024.
Click here for the National Zoo’s Panda Cam (live from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.)

NOT LEASED

Chapultepec Zoo, Mexico
Xin Xin, born 7/1/1990 is the last panda living outside of Asia that is not leased. She is the granddaughter of giants pandas gifted to Mexico in 1975, when panda diplomacy did not come with strings attached. Xin Xin celebrated her 34th birthday in 2024.

Taipei Zoo, Taiwan
• Yuan Yuan: Arrived 12/23/2008.
• Yuan Zai (offspring): Born 7/6/2013.
• Yuan Bao (offspring): Born 6/28/2020.

People all over the world are fascinated by giant pandas. They often feel a personal connection with pandas they have visited at a zoo, particularly baby pandas. Tears flow when the babies must be returned to China. Not everyone feels that panda diplomacy is a good thing for more valid reasons. Born Free USA advocates for letting pandas stay in the wild. They find it ironic that pandas are the most well-known mascot for global conservation, while at the same time, they are exploited as political pawns.