Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia 11 Nov 09;
SINGAPORE : China will also be loaning two baby pandas to Singapore for a 10-year period, as part of a collaboration between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and Wildlife Reserves Singapore to mark the 20th anniversary of Sino-Singapore relations.
According to Wildlife Reserves, Singapore will be the 7th country to get these animals on loan - after the US, Japan, Austria, Australia, Spain and Thailand.
There are only 1,600 pandas in the world, of which 268 are in captivity, with only 30 of these outside China.
But Singaporeans won't get to see these bears soon.
They will arrive in the second half of 2011, but they will have to be quarantined for a month, and there will be a further 5 months of acclimatisation.
The baby pandas will be housed in the zoo's new attraction, the River Safari, and visitors will probably get their first glimpse of them in the first quarter of 2012.
The pandas will be located in a special area to be constructed - a 1,600 sq-metre climate-controlled enclosure that is fully air-conditioned with temperature set between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius and humidity controlled at 50-60 per cent all year round.
Ambient conditions will be adjusted to simulate the 4 seasons similar to their natural habitat.
Since the pandas' diet consists mainly of bamboo - they consume some 20 kg a day - the zoo will be planting 8,000 sq metres of bamboo plantation to cater for this.
Property firm CapitaLand will be adopting the pandas with what it called a significant donation over the 10-year period.
This is not the first time Singaporeans will see pandas here. The city-state had a pair on loan for 100 days in 1990. - CNA /ls
China sending two pandas to Singapore
Furry 'envoys' - a symbol of close friendship - to arrive in 2011
Peh Shing Huei, Straits Times 12 Nov 09;
SINGAPORE is getting a pair of black and white furry envoys from China to mark the milestone of 20 years of diplomatic relations.
Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao announced yesterday at an Istana state banquet that a pair of giant pandas will be delivered to Singapore, as he expressed confidence that Singapore-Sino relations will reach 'a new high'.
The endangered creatures, which China rarely sends overseas, will arrive here in 2011 and Chinese diplomacy experts believe it is a sign of deepening friendship between the two nations.
'It reflects the importance of Singapore in China's foreign policy. Beijing does not send out pandas lightly,' said international relations analyst Shi Yinhong of Renmin University.
Singapore joins an exclusive club of overseas panda hosts, becoming only the seventh country since 1994 to receive the black and white creatures from China.
The pair of pandas, a one-year-old female and a two-year-old male, are from the Wolong panda reserve in China's south-western Sichuan province.
After a period of acclimatisation in Singapore, they will be unveiled to the public as the resident stars of the new $140 million River Safari, slated to open in 2012. The furry creatures will be here for a joint research on pandas and will stay for 10 years.
'The presence of giant pandas in Singapore would deeply capture the hearts of Singaporeans across all walks of life,' said the Singapore Foreign Ministry in a statement yesterday.
'They would also be a fitting symbol of the close friendship and strong ties between Singapore and China as we celebrate 20 years of diplomatic relations next year.'
President SR Nathan, who hosted the five-course banquet in honour of Mr Hu and his wife, hailed the anniversary as 'the cusp of a new chapter' in bilateral relations.
'Singapore remains committed to being a close partner in China's developmental process. Our two flagship projects - the Suzhou Industrial Park and the Tianjin Eco-city - symbolise the close ties and deep mutual understanding between Singapore and China,' said Mr Nathan, in a dinner attended by several Singapore Cabinet ministers, including Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
Mr Nathan added that Mr Hu's three-day state visit - his first since he assumed the presidency in 2003 - is a significant milestone in ties between the two countries.
After congratulating Mr Hu on the impressive parade at the Tiananmen Square on Oct 1 during China's 60th National Day, Mr Nathan assured the Chinese leader that Singapore wants an economically vibrant and successful China, playing a role in the region along with other major powers.
'Singapore wants China to continue to grow and succeed in all its endeavours. We also believe China's continued engagement with Asia will progress with shared understanding and consensus among the nations of Asia,' he said.
Mr Hu, who arrived here yesterday after a state visit in Malaysia, said that he was 'deeply impressed' with the new developments in Singapore since his last visit in 2002.
'With a government known for its efficiency, pragmatism and enterprising spirit, and a people hard-working, talented and constantly striving for improvements, you have made remarkable achievements in building a modern country that enjoys political stability, economic prosperity and social harmony,' he said, after reviewing the Guard of Honour at the Istana.
Mr Hu also met President Nathan and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew for talks yesterday, with the Chinese leader praising Mr Lee as the founder of Sino-Singapore relations. Their meeting stretched half an hour longer than its scheduled 45 minutes.
Mr Hu will meet Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and SM Goh today, before giving an address at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO summit tomorrow and joining a politically star-studded ensemble of Apec leaders at Suntec City and the Istana this weekend.
For now, though, the buzz is all about the black and white cuddly ambassadors from China. 'I think the pandas will be great attractions, especially for families because kids will love them,' said auditor Jasmine Koh, 23.
'This is really exciting news. I can't wait to see them.'
Additional reporting by Lin Zhaowei
Panda envoys meant for select few
China's diplomatic gift always signals close ties with receiving nation
Peh Shing Huei, Straits Times 12 Nov 09;
THEY are cute, cuddly - and China's ultimate diplomatic weapons.
While some countries send birds, dogs or even oxen to nations in the name of friendship, none can match the pandas that China ships out.
Pandas are natural ambassadors of goodwill with their iconic black eye patches, jolly expression and roly-poly gait.
As national treasures of China, they are the most tangible sign of close ties between Beijing and the receiving country.
'They are for the countries which not only enjoy very good relations with China, but are also important to us,' said analyst Shi Yinhong from Beijing's Renmin University. 'We don't have that many to give around the world.'
Their rarity - there are only about 1,800 of them - lends an element of exclusivity to their presence at home and when they are dispatched abroad.
Just seven nations have received Chinese pandas since 1994, with Singapore being the latest, after the United States, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Spain and Austria. Taiwan also received a pair - Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan - last year, as a reflection of and a means of encouraging warming cross-strait ties.
The panda's diplomatic role has a long history: In the 7th century, Chinese Empress Wu Zetian was said to have given two to the Japanese court.
The Chinese Communist Party revived the practice in modern times, and 'panda diplomacy' gained international fame when Hsing Hsing and Ling Ling were dispatched to the United States in 1972, following then-President Richard Nixon's historic visit to China.
'If you look at China giving out pandas, they do it on very critical occasions,' said international relations observer Li Mingjiang from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies. 'When they gave it to the US, it was when Sino-US ties were moving towards a much warmer stage. It was the same when the mainland gave two to Taiwan last year.'
Same with Japan: it received two pandas last year as relations improved after years of friction during Mr Junichiro Koizumi's term as prime minister.
In Singapore's case, Chinese President Hu Jintao announced that the dispatch of the furry envoys was to mark the 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.
In Prof Shi's view, bilateral ties are already good, so the sending of pandas to Singapore suggests a strong message from Beijing that it would like to take its relations with Singapore to the next level.
'It has more to do with the close relations between Singapore and China, especially since China embarked on its reform policy in 1978. Singapore rendered China a lot of help in its economic policy, and Deng Xiaoping and Lee Kuan Yew enjoyed a special personal relationship,' he added. 'In some way, this is China's way of saying thanks.'
Given that the panda is an endangered species, whatever the message it is intended to convey, a decision on Beijing's part to send them abroad is never taken lightly. There are only about 30 pandas outside of China and despite their cuddly appearance, pandas are poor breeders.
As a result, international environmental groups have raised concern in the past about the creatures being loaned commercially. Now if they are sent out at all, it is for the purpose of scientific research.
While serious research continues - not least how to raise panda birth rates - there is no denying the star power and rapturous welcome given these black-and-white Chinese ambassadors.
'Nixon being presented with pandas in 1972 set off a 'pandamonium' in the United States that the Chinese greatly profited from, both psychologically and materially,' veteran China watcher June Teufel Dreyer of the University of Miami noted.
Australia is projecting one million visitors a year at its Adelaide Zoo - a 70 per cent surge - when its pandas arrive at the end of this month. Zoo tickets for the first few months have to be pre-purchased.
For China, the panda is an ace in its efforts to project 'soft power'. What better way to win hearts than a 100kg bundle of warm, fuzzy fur.
TAKING TIES TO A NEW HIGH
'China and Singapore enjoy geographical proximity, friendly sentiments and a shared language, and the foundation of the friendship between our two peoples is strong. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations, we have advanced our cooperation in all areas by bringing into play our respective strengths... As next year marks the 20th anniversary of our diplomatic ties, we are prepared to send a pair of pandas to Singapore for joint research. I am convinced that, with the concerted efforts from both sides, China-Singapore relations will reach a new high.'
Chinese President Hu Jintao
AN ONGOING SUCCESS STORY
'Relations between Singapore and China are excellent. This is in part due to the close personal relationships between us and our ministers...but more importantly, in our joint efforts in enhancing mutual cooperation in various areas...This strong relationship between Singapore and China is an ongoing success story. We are on the cusp of a new chapter as we celebrate the forthcoming 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries next year. I am confident that we will build upon the strong foundation of our excellent relationship and foster Singapore-China relations to continue to grow and flourish in the years to come.'
Singapore President S R Nathan
Singapore rolling out red carpet for very special guests
Lim Wei Chean, Straits Times 12 Nov 09;
IF YOU are impressed with preparations for visiting dignitaries this week, then you will be floored by the red carpet being rolled out for two very special VIPs - Very Important Pandas.
The pandas do not hit town until late 2011. But much work has to be done ahead of their arrival in Singapore, as part of a 10-year collaboration with the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
Their staple diet - bamboo - has to be planted, the posh climate-controlled enclosure built and the keepers trained. A team of experts from China will come over to provide guidance.
The aim is help conserve the endangered species, raise awareness, and to start a breeding and research programme.
A key step will be taken today when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Chinese President Hu Jintao witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for the project.
Ms Fanny Lai, chief executive of Wildlife Reserves Singapore, said the pandas will be the star attractions in the new US$140 million (S$194 million) River Safari facility that will open in 2012. 'We are very excited about this,' she said. 'It is the dream of every zoo in the world to be able to work with the giant pandas.'
The one-year-old female and two-year-old male have been bred in captivity at the Wolong panda reserve in China's Sichuan province. They will undergo one month of quarantine in Singapore and will need another five months to acclimatise to their new surroundings before they make their public debut in 2012.
Home will be a spacious 1,600 sq m enclosure. It will simulate the four seasons the pandas are used to, with air-conditioning set at between 18 deg C and 22 deg C and humidity at 50 per cent to 60 per cent. The park is also planting different species of bamboo to meet their dietary requirement of about 20kg of the grass a day.
The pandas will be named after they arrive, but Ms Lai said they have yet to work out how it will be done. She added that while the programme was for 10 years, it could be extended. She declined to say how much it will cost to maintain the pandas, but it takes about $1 million a year to upkeep an animal exhibit zone in the Singapore Zoo. CapitaLand has signed on as a corporate sponsor for an undisclosed sum.
Cuddly pandas are a huge draw for any zoo, but their presence in Singapore has a serious side for Ms Lai - initiating a successful breeding programme.
There are about 1,800 pandas in the world, including 268 in captivity. The 30 that are in zoos outside China have produced 12 babies, and Ms Lai hopes Singapore can add to the number. The bears coming here have twin siblings, which will increase their chances of reproduction.
Giant pandas, which are found only in China, are threatened by loss of habitat, poaching and a low birth rate. Females in the wild normally have a cub once every two to three years. Any offspring will be returned to China, which considers pandas a national treasure.
It is not the first time that Singapore has hosted pandas. In 1990, a pair, An-An and Xin-Xing, were here for 100 days. In 1988, Jiao Jiao the performing panda visited with the Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe.
China sends two furry friends
Today Online 12 Nov 09;
SINGAPORE - Two China baby pandas will be doing their bit to promote Sino-Singapore friendship.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the two countries' relations next year, China will be loaning the pandas to Singapore for 10 years, it was announced last night following a meeting between visiting President Hu Jintao and President S R Nathan.
Singapore is only the seventh country to get these animals on loan - after the United States, Japan, Austria, Australia, Spain and Thailand, according to Wildlife Reserves Singapore.
The latter is working with the China Wildlife Conservation Association to bring the pandas here as part of a joint collaboration to promote giant panda conservation, raise public awareness of conservation and implement a giant panda breeding research programme.
There are only 1,600 pandas in the world; of which 268 are in captivity, with only 30 of these outside China.
However, Singaporeans - who last played host to a pair of loaned pandas for 100 days in 1990 - will not be getting to see these bears soon.
The pandas - a male and female aged two and one - will arrive in the second half of 2011 and will then have to be quarantined for a month.
They will then be given five more months of acclimatisation.
The two pandas will be housed in the zoo's new attraction, the River Safari.
Thus, visitors will probably get their first glimpse of the cuddly creatures in the first quarter of 2012.
The pandas will be located in a new special area, a 1,600-sq-metre climate-controlled enclosure that's fully air-conditioned with temperature set between 18° and 22° Celcius and humidity controlled at 50 to 60 per cent all year round.
Ambient conditions will be adjusted to simulate the four seasons similar to their natural habitat.
And since their diet consists mainly of bamboo - they consume 20kg a day - the zoo will be planting 8,000-sq-metres of bamboo to ensure the pandas never go hungry.
Property firm CapitaLand will be a adopting the two bears with what it called a significant donation over the 10-year period. Asha Popatlal
