I mean, can you blame them for feeling sad about the pandas leaving? They've been a part of our lives here at Ueno Zoo for ages & it's crazy how attached we all are! But, gotta think, maybe this is an opportunity to reevaluate the whole "symbolic role" thing. I mean, are giant pandas really just a tool for boosting diplomatic ties or is there more to it? The fact that China is so upset over some comments from Japan's PM about Taiwan is pretty telling... it shows how sensitive these issues can be & how hard it is to find common ground between the two countries. Anyway, I hope whoever gets to see the pandas next in China appreciates how special they are!
I'm literally gonna miss these two little furballs so much... Like, how am I supposed to cope without their adorable antics on YouTube? But seriously, this is super sad for all the fans who've grown attached to them. I mean, it's not just about us - it's also a reflection of the tension between Japan and China right now. It's like, what even happened? One minute we're enjoying our pandas, and the next we're stuck in this awkward diplomatic situation. Can't they just get along?