Vienna's new pandas a 'symbol of Chinese-Austrian partnership'

On Wednesday, Vienna Zoo officially welcomed two new giant pandas, Lan Yun and He Feng, from China. 

At the arrival ceremony, Austrian president Alexander Van der Bellen described the two bears as "bridge builders."

"Co-operations like these create trust, they bring nations closer together," said Van der Bellen, who used to lead the country's Green Party. 

He added: "We shouldn't underestimate the impact of these seemingly small occasions, despite all the differences that may exist. The giant pandas are a symbol of the Chinese-Austrian partnership."

Delegations from both countries attended the event which included a traditional Chinese lion dance as well as Austrian primary school pupils wearing panda masks and holding welcome signs.

"It's a very nice moment today to welcome the bears in Austria in Tiergarten Schönbrunn," Austrian Chancellor Christoph Stocker - who participated in the ceremony - told CGTN.

While the area outside the pandas' new home was turned into a diplomatic event, inside Lan Yun and He Feng could be seen enjoying Austrian-grown bamboo.

Vienna's Tiergarten Schönbrunn, which is the world's oldest zoo, has been working with China's Wildlife Conservation Association for over two decades. 

Last year, the joint efforts were extended for a further ten years. That's the length of time Lan Yun and He Feng, who were born in 2020, are due to stay in Vienna. 

Both countries are hoping the pair are settling into their new home, and will perhaps make it a family residence in the future with the potential pitter-patter of tiny paws.

Li Hongzhong, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of National People's Congress, compared the pandas to ambassadors, adding that they will become mascots of friendship between the two countries and their peoples. 

According to Li: "The Giant Panda is a national treasure of China, a jewel in the diversity of the earth's species and a precious treasure of ecological civilization."

While some areas of international relations can lead to tensions, panda exchanges certainly do not. Since the 1960s, China has been sharing its iconic pandas to foster friendly relations across the globe.

Today, Giant Pandas like Lan Yun and He Feng are no longer considered an endangered species. Thanks to strict conservation measures in China, the population has almost doubled since the 1980s.