China-Spain giant panda cooperation contributes to biodiversity conservation: spokesperson

(ECNS) -- Two giant pandas, Jin Xi and Zhu Yu, will depart from the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan Province on April 29 to begin their 10-year stay at Madrid Zoo in Spain, extendinging the 40-year “panda friendship” between the two countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin said at a press conference on Thursday.

"Giant panda cooperation is an epitome of the friendship between our two countries," the spokesperson noted.

We are confident that continued China-Spain giant panda collaborative research will contribute to our work on protecting endangered species and global biodiversity conservation, he said.

China and Spain have bred six giant panda cubs after their giant panda cooperation, which makes Spain the most successful country in Europe in terms of giant panda breeding cooperation with China, the spokesperson said.

The two sides have jointly improved various technologies on conservation, breeding, disease prevention and control of giant panda.

The enthusiasm toward giant pandas has facilitated close people-to-people exchanges, Wang said.

As Jin Xi and Zhu Yu are about to depart according to the agreement on giant panda conservation cooperation and research signed between China and Spain, the two sides are actively preparing for the arrival of the two giant pandas, focusing on quarantine, feed supply, veterinary care, transport, and residence renovation.

These efforts aim to ensure they will arrive in Madrid safe and sound, and become accustomed to the new environment as smoothly as possible, Wang added.