People's Daily Online, Adelaide, November 14 (Wang Quanjiao) The giant pandas "Wang Wang" and "Fu Ni", who have lived in Australia for 15 years, will return to China early on the morning of the 15th. In the afternoon of the 14th, the Chinese Consulate General in Adelaide and the Adelaide Zoo jointly hosted a farewell event for the giant pandas.

Giant pandas "Wang Wang" and "Fu Ni" have lived in Australia for 15 years (Photo courtesy of Adelaide Zoo)

In 2009, China and Australia launched cooperation in giant panda protection and research. "Wang Wang" and "Fu Ni" moved from the Wolong Giant Panda Research Center in Sichuan to the Adelaide Zoo in South Australia (SA), Australia, and settled down there, becoming the only pair of giant pandas in the Southern Hemisphere. Over the past 15 years, China and Australia have achieved positive results in giant panda protection, disease prevention and control, and disease diagnosis and treatment. The pair of giant pandas is also deeply loved by South Australian residents and tourists from all over the world.

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian attended the event and delivered a speech (Photo by Wang Quanjiao)

Chinese Ambassador to Australia Xiao Qian said in his speech at the event that giant pandas, as friendly envoys, convey the warmth and goodwill of the Chinese people, sow the seeds of peace and friendship, and arouse emotional resonance beyond national boundaries. "Wang Wang" and "Fu Ni" have become symbols of the deep friendship between the Chinese and Australian people for 15 years. China and Australia are about to start a new round of giant panda cooperation, which will further enhance the friendly feelings between the two peoples and inject new vitality into the people-to-people exchanges between the two sides.

Zoe Bettison, representative of the South Australian Premier, Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Minister of Tourism, delivered a speech (Photo by Wang Quanjiao)

Zoe Bettison, representative of the South Australian Premier, Minister of Multicultural Affairs and Minister of Tourism, said at the event that the arrival of "Wang Wang" and "Fu Ni" has strengthened the Australian public's attention to the protection of giant pandas, especially for the younger generation. The giant panda symbolizes the friendship between Australia and China, and Australia will continue to cooperate with China in the protection of giant pandas.

Elaine Benstead, CEO of the South Australian Zoo Association, delivered a speech (Photo by Wang Quanjiao)

Elaine Benstead, CEO of the South Australian Zoo Association, reviewed the 15-year life of Wang Wang and Fu Ni in South Australia. She said that the two giant pandas have always been very popular in the Adelaide Zoo, have become part of the local community, and promoted the friendship between South Australia and China.

Handwritten farewell letters from tourists to the giant pandas Wang Wang and Fu Ni (Photo courtesy of Adelaide Zoo)

Adelaide local students sang to bid farewell to "Wangwang" and "Funi" (Photo by Wang Quanjiao)