China’s Li Qiang promises Australia more pandas: ‘pick a pair’

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong thanked China’s premier for ensuring pandas would remain Adelaide Zoo’s star attraction

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Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong (left) and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas (centre) look on as China’s Premier Li Qiang reacts in front of the panda enclosure at Adelaide Zoo on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

Published: 3:24pm, 16 Jun 2024Updated: 3:47pm, 16 Jun 2024

Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to Australia on Sunday focused on positive aspects of the bilateral relationship including shared giant pandas and a rebounding wine trade as he promised a new breeding pair of the rare bears.

China’s most powerful leader after President Xi Jinping arrived late on Saturday in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia state, which has produced most of the Australian wine entering China since crippling tariffs were lifted in March that had effectively ended a 1.2 billion Australian dollar (US$794 million) a year trade since 2020.

Li visited Adelaide Zoo, which has been home to China-born giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni since 2009, before heading for lunch at a restaurant at Adelaide winery Penfolds Magill Estate.

He announced that the zoo would be loaned another two pandas after the pair are due to return to China in November.

“China will soon provide another pair of pandas that are equally beautiful, lively, cute and younger to the Adelaide Zoo, and continue the cooperation on giant pandas between China and Australia,” Li said in Mandarin, adding that zoo staff would be invited to “pick a pair”.

Wang Wang the panda is seen with its head in a box during Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to the Adelaide Zoo on Sunday. Li said he was impressed by Wang Wang’s appetite. Photo: AFP

Li was impressed by the 18-year-old male Wang Wang’s appetite and indifference to his high-ranking visitors.