China-Indonesia pandas program inaugurated

INDONESIA -- Enhanced cooperation in research on giant pandas conservation is an important symbol of friendly relations between China and Indonesia entering a new stage, visiting Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong said on Sunday.

The China-Indonesia Giant Pandas Conservation Partnership Program was launched at Bogor on the outskirts of Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta.

Liu, who inaugurated the ceremony, noted that both sides should take this program as an opportunity to deepen cooperation in such fields as economy, society, culture and ecological civilization.

The panda couple, Hu Chun and Cai Tao, from China’s southwestern Sichuan province, has arrived at Indonesia’s Taman Safari Zoo and stayed there for two months.

Director of Taman Safari Jansen Manansang said the pandas have been in good physical conditions and have adapted well to their new home.

Jansen said the pandas have gained some weight during the quarantine time.

Achmad Choesni, deputy coordinating minister for human, development and cultural affairs of Indonesia, expected that Hu Chun and Cai Tao would strengthen people-to-people relationship between China and Indonesia. He also hoped that this program could motivate more cooperation in broader fields between the two countries. Hu Chun and Cai Tao, the two seven-year-old pandas, received a warm welcome as stars when arriving in Jakarta on Sept. 28.

Almost all the local media reported their arrival as ambassadors of friendship between China and Indonesia.

(Xinhua)