Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun

When asked to comment on that the last two giant pandas in Japan will return to China next week, and whether China intends to extend the relevant leasing agreement - as well as what it would mean for bilateral relations if China does not loan new pandas to Japan - Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that, in accordance with the China-Japan agreement, the giant pandas "Xiao Xiao" and "Lei Lei" at Tokyo's Ueno Zoo are scheduled to return to China before February 2026. For specific arrangements, he advised that inquiries should be directed to relevant Chinese authorities.

Guo added that China is aware that there is a large community of panda fans in Japan, and welcomes Japanese visitors to come to China to see giant pandas.

Global Times