Chinese pandas arrive in Taiwan
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.When taken together, their names mean "reunion" in Chinese. Yesterday, in a moment heavy with symbolism, two giant pandas called Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan were flown from China to Taiwan.
The latest outbreak of "panda diplomacy" came as Beijing stepped up a charm offensive on the island it still considers a renegade province of the People's Republic. Millions of Taiwanese watched live television coverage of the arrival of the first pandas ever to inhabit Taiwan. But their hopes of seeing the animals in the flesh were dashed – their cages were covered by a tarpaulin as they were wheeled from an aircraft at Taipei airport and driven to the city's zoo.
Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan will be quarantined for 30 days before they are officially unveiled during the Chinese Lunar New Year holiday next month. The zoo expects its new star attractions to pull in 30,000 visitors a day. China's gift of pandas signifies how ties between Beijing and Taiwan have strengthened since the election of the Taiwanese President, Ma Yinh-jeou, in May.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments